Question:
i have aetna hmo, my pcp doesnt want to give referral??

I have aetna hmo, my pcp doesnt want to give referral??i tried to get one for the BTC in ypsilanti but my pcp wont give me one. i wqas just wondering if anyone knew any doctors that support wls in the ann arbor,ypsi area.all i need is a refferal...i am so frustrated!!! thanks    — pauline C. (posted on January 21, 2001)

January 22, 2001
Hi Pauline, I also have Aetna, HMO and a great PCP. Aetna approved my surgery in 1 day! You need to find another PCP in the network. I suggest you call BTC and ask them to refer you to a WLS friendly PCP who they have dealt with in the past. Don't let one PCP's ignorance deter you! Good Luck Kim
   — Kim F.

January 23, 2001
I went through two PCP with Aetna HMO (Federal). Neither would even CONSIDER talking to me about WLS. I was told to simply diet and exercise. I finally switched to a 3rd physician, told him up front that I could not stand to be this overweight any longer and I wanted a PCP that would work with me and help me to manage my weight loss. If he was not willing to do that, could he recommend someone that was? But as it happened, I lucked out on the 3rd go around. My new PCP not only wanted to help me, but said if a medically supervised diet wouldn't work, he would have no trouble recommending me for WLS. He said he already had 10 patients who had WLS and they were all extremely happy - only one has a side effect of chronic diarreah. And said she'd rather have that than be obese. So my advice: Call around and find a doctor ahead of time that is willing to work with a patient with a weight problem. Find the doctor, then interview him/her before you switch. A truly good and compassionate doctor will understand that a large amount of weight loss can rarely be achieved on your own, we need their help.
   — [Deactivated Member]