Question:
Has anyone been approved from kaiser So. Cal? Please let me know how it was done?
— shannon W. (posted on January 11, 2000)
January 12, 2000
Hi Shannon. No, not So. Cal. Kaiser; not even No. Cal. Kaiser, but I'm
trying with Northern. I've been in this process for 10 mos. They promise
to let me know by the end of this month. I am prepared for denial with
appeal, and even lawyer if necessary. Kaiser plays the delay and stall
game, which I believe is part of a strategy/tactic to discourage it's
members from seeking wls--$$. Your profile says Aetna? I've heard of more
success from them. I wish you good luck.
— joroclo
January 12, 2000
Hi, I live in Northern Calif and Kaiser has delayed me in every respect my
doctor has not referred me to a surgeon and I have gotten and gone through
all the stuff they said I needed. They made me wait for the dietician for
5 months
and they I saw some young girl who knew nothing about WLS. It was a waste I
time, Every one I have seen recommend that I have the surgery but still no
referral. Delay, after Delay. I got so angry I went back to The VA
Hospital and I was approved in about 3 months. They wanted to do blood test
and all the workup first. I will be having my surgery Feb 9, 2000
hoooooooooooooray good luck with Kaiser there was a lady that was approved
and the surgery was performed it was out of the Walnut Creek Kaiser in
Northern Ca. It might be worth checking out. The surgery was done in SF by
an outside doctor.
— Richard J.
January 12, 2000
I live in So. CA and just changed from Kaiser to BC/BS PPO plan. However,
prior to the change, I was trying to get approved for a referral to UCLA or
PBSMG (Pacific Bariatric in San Diego. Kaiser is now contracted with both
these facilities to do WLS. Go to your PCP and tell him/her you want a
referral to consult with a surgeon at UCLA or Pacific Bariatrics. There is
certain crieteria you have to meet and a number of pr-op tests/labs that
you must complete before getting your referral. In addition to the labs,
you must see the psychiatrist and the nutritionist. Believe it or not, my
PCP had no problem with getting the labs set up and I had my psych &
nutritionist consult within a week! Once the labs/evaluations are complete
your PCP send the file for a review of the board for the referral.
I decided to change from Kaiser though because I wanted the DS and Kaiser
only covers RNY or VBG. I had VBG in 1990 and gained it all back + another
80 lbs!! Good Luck. Don't let them tell you no. If you get your referral
and go to the lecture that Pacific Bariatrics has each month, they will get
your paperwork started and the ball rolling that night (just bring your
referral with you!).
— Amber P.
April 30, 2000
Hi Shannon I live in So Cal. I have Kaiser. I had trouble finding a doctor
that would even listen to me They told me to stop eating so much.I happend
to meet someone who had it done and she gave me the name of a doctor in
Aliso Viejo Her name is Dr. Mehron the Phone # is 888-988-2800. She's great
and yes it takes awhile to get the referral it took me about 9 months but
she got me through . I live in Long Beach and I drive about an hour to see
her but it's well worth it. They have scales that will weigh me, (not the
ones that go to 150 lb and the tell you to hop on)They're very kind there.
If you want more info please e-mail me at [email protected] Good luck!
Corrine Long
— Corrine L.
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