connecticare nutritionist help

Im in need of help I would like to find out if any of you out there have connecticare insurance and if so how did you get the nutritionist 6 month documentation covered? I have done all the evaluations that needed to be done per Dr Barba and the only thing Im having trouble with is that so far, If I use the in office nutritionist I would have to come out of pocket which is not cheap but Im tould she knows every thing that has to be done to get the approval the 1st time around. Any info helps Thank You

NPD, I am an employee in Dr. Barba's office. Although it is imperative that you check with your insurance plan to see exactly what they require, the information that we have specifically states that CTCare requires a "6 month PHYSICIAN DIRECTED wt loss program consisting of diet therapy, exercise, behavioral modification including physician's notes detailing your progress through the course of the program" With that being said, they are not looking for you to follow program with the nutritionist, but with your PCP. This requires you to visit your PCP monthly. This does not mean that seeing the nutritionist for 6 months is a bad idea, but if you are concerned about costs, the insurance is looking for PHyscian directed. You are still required to see the dietitian for your bariatric nutrition counseling, but for 2 visits prior to surgery (not 6 months). Just call the office if you are looking for more specific information and somebody here can help guide you through. Hope this helps!

NPD, I tried to respond to your post before, but I don't know if my response went through - so I appologize if this is repetative...I'll try again... I am an employee in Dr. B's office. We do ask that every patient contact their insurance company directly to make sure that they understand exactly what it is they require. From what we know about CTCARE, it states that the patient requires a "PHYSICIAN DIRECTED wt loss program consisting of diet therapy, exercise, and behavior mod with physician's notes detailing your progress through the course of the program." Although it would not hurt for you to see a nutritionist as well, the insurance is really looking for PHYSICIAN directed, not nutritionist directed, which means that you should pursue this program with your doctor. You will need to see the dietitian 2 times before your surgery, but you don't have to see her for 6 months! Call the office if you have any questions and somebody here would be happy to help! Hope this helps.

I'm seeing Dr. Barba and although I opted to go threw his nutrionist to do the program I believe you can see your PCP and go threw him/her to get it done. I did pay out of pocked the amount for the nutrionist and am in the process of trying to get reimbursed by my insurance. I decided to play it safe and jsut stick with her since he is the surgeon, she works with him and in his office to get everything done right the first time to try and minimize fights with insurance later on. It's not cheap... hurt me to dish out that amount but I see it as investment in my future! Not everyone can do this of course so consult your PCP and have him refer you to a nutrionist or see if he can provide the documentation required. My PCP said he'd do anything and everything I needed done or Dr. Barba required to get me approved for the procedure so check with your PCP. If you don't have one let me know I'd be happy to recommend mine. I adore him and won't change him for anything. My PCP makes me feel like I'm his priority and everything he does he does it with my best interest at heart!

First I would like to Thank Melissa for the expert info I also have send you a personal message. Faye Thank you for answering my post I have decided to do my 2 visits with Melissa and also do the six months documentation with my PCP Im tould by the Medical assistant that they can handle that, my PCP have done it before I been told .Im so glad you adore your PCP thats how I feel about my Doctor Ive been with him since I was in my teens so I been going to him for almost 20 years I Love him and wouldnt change him for anything or anyone else ,it looks like you found the best PCP for you now a days is hard to find a Doctor that would take the time and care for the patient so once you find the right one you stick with him or her especially if they have your interest at heart. Thank you for your sincere infomation.

Welcome Keep us posted on how things are going, when you get your date and everything! Seeing how we may "bump" into each other at Dr. Barba's office and not even know it... you never know ... but do let us know how things are going Everyone here is great!