Need a new PCP in Clearwater area

~_~ Anyone know any WLS friendly PCP's? I have BC/BS HMO at the moment but will be switching to UH PPO in June at the latest. My current PCP lied to me ~_~ here I thought I was all set. He said he'd write the referral though he didnt like the surgery but said I was medically a good canidate... then when I ask for it to be sent he didnt. Then I call to ask where it is and the nurse told me "well I tried to call several times!" Oh really? I didnt get ANY messages from their office and I am the only one in the house that knows the pin to get into voice mail! ... ~_~ He now demands that I go through 2 years of Nutritional Education with a certified nutirtionist and 2 years of personal fitness with a Personal Trainer before he'll write it (of course neither are covered by EITHER insurance companies). Oh, then gets mad at me for not getting the cholestrol medication filled. ~_~ anyhow... willing to travel to surrounding areas on this side of the bay.

Which surgery are you planning on having? Also would that be Dr. Kinney on East Bay? Another friend of mine has this Dr. Kinney and things were going fine but just told her the same exact thing as though they were the Insurance Requirements. But we know better and these are his own NEW requirements. She was headed to Greece to recieve the Lap-Band but I've headed her off with hopes of her still receiving the Lap-Band from Dr. R at the Palms.

Sorry for the delayed reply... I am planning on LAP RYN. No its not Dr. Kinney, it's Dr. Patel on West Bay. Im gonna call Palms tomorrow and see what dr's they've had positive responses with. I hate being lied to by people who I'm suppose to trust with my life.

What I did to find a WLS friendly PCP othat used my insurance was on here. I went to the Insurance Review section, to my Insurer. Then read everyones profile to see which PCP they used. Then checked on my Insurers web page to make sure they stoll accepted my current insurance program. Didn't really get much help for PCP from Dr.Rehnke's office. Which insurance to you have? I'll see my PCP on Wednesday and could ask them if they'd take you, but their on 9th Ave. N. just East of Tyrone Blvd. In St.Petersburg. I live all the way up near Court St. & Missouri Ave. in Clearwater but decide the distance was worth it to receive my Open RNY. Good Luck, Mike

I went through the Insurance Review here for my particular insurance and the few that did have my insurance no longer had good email addresses to ask who they had as a PCP and didnt mention the PCP in their profile. I have BC/BS HMO (Blue Care) currently. I will be going onto my husbands insurance sometime in the near future which is United Health (PPO). I concur that the distiance is worth the drive. I am a bit further north but a good doctor is worth that distance. Thanks for asking for me -becky

Try Dr. Michael Clemens with the Diagnostic Clinic, 727 726-8871. He is very supportive and knowledgeable about WLS. You do know that BC/BS of FL does not cover any type of WLS don't you?

Yeah, I'm self pay.

If you're self-pay and not going thru insurance, why not try the WISH Center in San Antonio, Texas? I know they charge much less for the lap-band, perhaps you can inquire as to what they charge for the Lap-RNY.

Well I called Dr. Clemens office and he advised me that he does not support WLS.

Ronald Mall, DO on East Bay Drive was my PCP when I lived in Pinellas County. He is very good. Diane