Does anyone know of a supportive PCP from Iehp's site?

Ok I'm going to try again, does anyone know of a PCP that is supportive of the weight loss surgery on IEHP's site?

before i started working and got my insurance through my job i had i ehp and i didnt have tohave a PCP when iwent in to see the surgeon for a consult after i had attended his seminar. the only time that i would have had to see my PCP was when i would have had to get the medical clearance also IEHP requires a 6 month medically surpervised weigh loss program.
i just that that i would add that as that is what they were requesting of me when i was pursuing the weight loss surgery through iehp.
but i am not sure of any doctors in the rialto or san bernardino area as i live in the high desert and i cant remeber my docotrs name from when i use to live down the hill in fontana.
well good luck.

lynn

Thank you for responding to my post, it was really helpful.

Hi Tabroome,

I had a difficult time finding the right PCP as well-even though I'm an R.N. in the Inland Empire it's hard to know who supports WLS and who doesn't. I changed my PCP a couple of times until I finally got Dr. Eva Harasti in Corona. She is affiliated with Riverside Physicians network. I was approved within 2 months and had my surgery May 14 this year, 40 lbs lost so far....

I would advise to first call member services and find out which bariatric surgeon they refer to. Once you know that call the surgeons office and ask politely if they could give you names of a couple of pcp's that  they regulary work with.

If they won't give you a list then plan B is to get a list of eligable PCP's off of the web and call their offices. Ask to speak with their assistant and then simple ask if the doctor has refered many people for WLS. Believe it or not I networked this way and found many PCP's who still don't support WLS.

Luckily when I called Dr. Harasti her assistant told me that she has refered her patients frequently for WLS. It was 2 months after my first visit with her that I had surgery.

(PS  I believe in Riverside the doctor listed as Lentz does refer)

Good Luck

riley

Thank you so much for your input I already chose a PCP, But I will call his office before I have my first appointment and inquire if he is supportive of WLS. Again thank you for the networking advice, I'm still new to all of this.