independent health

has anybody dealth with them and getting gastric bypass surgery approved?  Are they difficult to work with?  I'm just beginning the process.  I have my pych evaluation scheduled on 7/26 and then I will make the appt to see the doc.  I'm nervous that I'm going to get myself all psyched up and ready for this and then BOOm... i'll get rejected.   But my gosh i want this soo badly......   

Hi!
I have Ind Health and they are great!! I also have Dr. Caruana as my surgeon and he told me that Ind. Health has rejected very few if any of his patients. I was seen on a Friday and approved by Monday. Ind Health will call you before Deanne does. I'm sure you will have no problem. What is your bmi and do you have any co-morbs? Are you going To Dr. Lellito for your Pych eval? He is real nice also.
Sorry I didn't catch your name. Are you from Buffalo?

Debi

yes I'm going to see Dr. lelito for my Pych eval.  What shoudl I expect for that?   I'm Deanna and I live in lancaster......     my BMI is 50 ...  co-morbs??  what is that?    I have very high blood pressure as a result of my weight.....and a bit of depression..which i just rrecently figured out was a result of my weight.....  can only blame post pardom for so long I guess...(my daughter's 2 now)  ....I'm on meds for both now.....

According to all the "do you qualify for the surgery" questions.....I highly qualify.  But I keep thinking what if the doc thinks I don't need it....or the pysch thinks i should have it.  I'm all freaked out.....    I want so badly to do things with my daughter....and to enjoy a normal "relationship" with my huband....  I'm so tired of sitting out on things.      My mother had the surgery done 4 years ago....she lives in Maine though so the process is very different.  My grandmother also had it done years and years ago.....  (obesity runs in the family if you hadn't already guessed).        

hi!!!!!!!!!!!  welcome!!!!!!!!!!!! independent health is excellant and  so is dr. caruana.......i went thru all the steps and worried every inch of the way........did not have to, but i did anyway.....ind. health actually called ME when i was approved.................... congrats on taking your first steps (funny me saying that when other members were saying that to me not too long ago... my surgery is 9/19th.........see you on the boards.................hugs, christina

Indep. Health is my carrier and I got approved on the 1st try...easy breezy. Had Lap RNY on 5/29/07 with Dr. Panemanglore who just left Synergy Bariatrics. I see Caruana day after tomorrow for a check up. The psych eval. was nothing. Lelitto made me nervous saying, he thought I was not ready and would recommend 6mos of diet journal & etc. Well, less than 2 mos. after seeing him, I had my surgery done. He will have you answer a lot of ususal pysch questions true or false style like "My father is a good man" or "I hear things that other people don't". Then you will sit down with him & answer one-on-one questions. Good luck!!

I also have Independent Health and I have the paperwork from Synergy to fill out.  The sample letter for medical necessity from them says something about Psychotropic Medications.    I have been on an anti-depressant for a long time now, it that a psychotropic med?  Or do they mean something for bi-polar disorder?  I just did the a history of my weight loss tries.  Almost all of them with Weigh****chers.  I found that I had tried to lose the same 75 pounds over and over again.  Now I should lose at least a 100 pounds to be in the 140's again.  My PCP appt is tomorrow morning, hopefully, she will give me a referral to see Dr. Caruana

Antidepressants can be considered psychotropics. If you meet all of Caruana's requirements for WLS, you shouldn't have a problem w/ your PCP giving you a referral letter. The plan I have with Independent Health does not require a referral, but I did have to have a letter of support /necessity from my PCP. I had to make repeated requests, but he finally sent it. My surgery was 7 weeks ago tomorrow & I am dowm 33 lbs. Seeing Caruana tomorrow for my 1st check up. Best of luck to you!