Question:
Sorry...I am talking about my PCP not my Bariatric Doctor
My PCP has never written a letter of necessaty before. Hope this helps to clear up any questions. Thank you all so much dianne — NovemberHope (posted on October 28, 2008)
October 28, 2008
I would assume your PCP has some idea of what co morbidity factors could
be. There are more than minor health issues, that can be relieved by losing
excess wt. All you doc has to do is to make up a list of your health
issues. Check with your insurance company to see what co morbid conditions
they require for surgery. Normally you have to have >40 BMI or 2 or 3 co
morbidity issues. I had a 39.5 BMI when I consulted my doc, but I had co
morbid conditions. I did not have all of these but here are some that will
probably count: diabetes or family history, sleep apnea, taking bp meds,
taking cholestorol lowering drugs, joint replacement under consideration,
severe back pain from wt, having to use a walker or scooter for mobility,
skin infections from excess wt, etc. You need to know from your insurance
company which ones "count in their book", then have the doctor
list the ones that you have already. It's not that difficult. DAVE
— Dave Chambers
October 28, 2008
Would your insurance company accept a letter from your bariatric doctor?? I
would gte one from them if so...I would also think very long and hard about
changing your PCP...This doctor sounds like a real winner...If he can't get
a letter or medical neccesity from a colleage or write it himself, how is
he going to deal with the issues that come up after surgery...You will need
top notch care post surgery and if he can't even write a letter without you
doing the foot work, wilol he know how quickly you can get dehydrated, will
he know when you need medical attention because your blood work is off,
will he be aware of warning signs of complications, these are all serious
and life threatening things to think about if they happen how will this dr.
respond and will his response be quick enought to help you, or will you be
left holding the bag and doing the leg work...
I also hope for you that your bariatric program is a good supportive one
especially with a dr. like you have..
— lori042499
October 28, 2008
Dianne...first, if you like your current PCP, don't change because he is
unsure how to write this letter. I don't think that is too uncommon.
Besides, obviously, he wants to make sure that he writes it correctly and
helps you along, so you have to give him some credit for that. I have
attached a link that has one sample (you'll probably have to copy it into
the address field to search). Hopefully this will help some...and good
luck! http://www.laparoscopy.com/pleatman/obesitysurgeryguide.pdf
— BrendaMS
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