letter of clearance

I know we all need a letter of clearance from out pcp so we can have surgery. I am wondering what your time frame is? Mine is supposed to between the time of pre-op tests and my surgery date which is only 1 day. With my insurance pre-op test must be done 5 days prior to surgery. I am wondering if anyone has or had their letter dated earlier than that. Laurie at my surgeons office is out today and I will call tomorrow but just wondered if anyone had any answers. Joy

I am having the lap-band procedure on Jan 17th. I got my letter from my PCP a few days before I submitted my pre-auth request for surgery which was on Nov 9th - so quit a ways before my surgery date. My surgeon told me to get the letter before hand so he can include it with all my other documentation. I don't know what the differences are between my situation and yours so sorry I'm not much help.

I did my pre-op testing with a bariatric center and they sent me to one of their physicians for a medical clearance and they wouldn't let me do that until 30 days before my surgery at the earliest.

My surgeons office contacted my PCP and she faxed them a letter and I got approved that same day. Everything is "suppose" to go in to the insurance company at the same time, however that doesn't always work out. No time frame, but if the surgeons office is asking for it, they need it to submit with other information so the quicker the better. Just call your PCP and have them get it done.

Thanks everyone for the info, I just want to make sure I have all I need. Joy