Question:
WHAT IF YOU HAVE NO PCP?
OKAY, I HAVE HAD MY SON 10 MONTHS AGO, BUT I HAVE NO REGULAR PCP, SO WOULD I HAVE TO GET MY RECORDS FROM HER OBSTETRICIAN? AFTERWARDS, I DID TRY SEEING A NUTRITIONALIST, BUT IT TURNED OUT BEING TO EXPENSIVE, SO I STOPPED. SO SINCE MY CONSULT ISN'T UNTIL SEPT., SHOULD I BE TRYING TO SEE A NEW DOCTOR AND GET A LETTER OF MEDICAL NESSITY OR GET LETTERS FROM THEM BOTH? AND WHAT STEPS DO I DO TO GET THESE LETTERS? — Tanya F. (posted on June 27, 2003)
June 27, 2003
I see you have blue cross and it's my understanding that their new policy
requirements for WLS is that you have to have 6 months of doctor supervised
dieting within the last year. I could be wrong, but that's my
understanding. Hope someone else can give you more hopeful info!
— [Deactivated Member]
June 27, 2003
Tanya,
I was just approved in IL with BCBS PPO with no supervised diet history,
and no co-morbidities that most would consider significant. I'm also going
through Rush but with Dr. Frantzides. If I were you, I would schedule an
appt with a family doctor. I found a DR in my area that can do everthing
from well baby on up. Just schedule for a wellness checkup, and that way
you can get your history documented and build a relationship with a good
doctor, as well:) Before I commit to a family dr. I would ask some
questions like, is the Dr. supportive of WLS? Let the dr. know that you're
intent is to have WLS and that's what you're working towards. Your ob/gyne
can also write a LMN. Mine did and included dysmennoreah and mennagorreah
and a consistent weight gain over the past 12 years.
Hope this helps! Good luck on your journey!
— kathy B.
June 27, 2003
I would definitely get a local PCP. Even if your insurance doesn't require
it, you need to have someone who is familiar with your case for the times
you need a doc's help. You also will need a general checkup before surgery
to make sure that you are healthy overall, prior to surgery.
— bethybb
June 27, 2003
you might also call your surgeon's office and ask them if they know of a
pcp with that takes your insurance that they deal with often. This way you
will have a doctor that is familiar with what you want to have done and who
is also supportive of the surgery. This is what I did, and I couldn't be
happier with my doctor! :)
— Tammy O.
June 27, 2003
I noticed in your profile that your insurance is a PPO. Speaking from my
own personal experience, I did not need a referal or any info from my PCP
to get approved. I know every insurance company is different. My doctor
at BTC requires you to have a PCP before they schedule you for surgery.
Any labs they order post-op are done with your PCP and not them. I think
it would be wise to get established with a PCP now. That way once you have
your consultation you will not be stuck at the last minute trying to find a
WLS friendly PCP. It is not fun. I am speaking from experience. One PCP
I called couldn't get me in until July, and I called in May! Best of luck!
— Maria S
June 28, 2003
I had just moved to this state when I was trying to get my sugery ball
rolling...I didn't have PCP here...and the one I had in the other state I
had only seen once in about 7 years...for an ear infection. So when I got
here, I just opened my phone book and called around. Found a guy on my
insurance and gave him a shot. I went in to have a shot for school and
chatted with him a bit about my weight, kinda of feeling him out. Then
decided he'd do as my PCP so I just made an appointment with him to discuss
weight loss surgery. There is no rule that says you need to have PCP for a
certain amount of time before having surgery...no rule that says you can't
change PCP like you change your clothes. Generally, a PCP does some
prilimary tests before seeing a surgeon, to rule out any dieases that may
be causign the weight issues and that saves the surgeon time and you as
well. So just call your insurance company for a list of PCP in your area
then call them up, ask them if they are WLS friendly or not. If they
aren't, just hang up.
— Renee B.
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