Please answer Question?

Hi Everyone, I am new to this process and would like to know what the letter of medical necessity is for...insurance approval or for Dr. doing your surgery. My insurance doesn't require that information so I wonder if I should still ask my PCP to write the letter. I am hoping for a smooth transition in the process to surgery, so anything you could suggest that would save me time and help me have all my ducks in a row would be appreciated.... Thanks, Colleen L.

Hi Colleen, I think that the letter is included with your package that goes to insurance for approval, but overall, I think it outlines to the surgeon [that in the eyes of your PCP] your general health and the reasons why you need this surgery to lose weight. That co-morbidities are causing you great distress and interferring with the quality of your life, etc. If the surgeon asks for it (Dr Aranow does, it's on his checklist) you have to get it. Paula

Hi Colleen, Paula is right and frankly the fact that you PCP is on board with you on this just makes it a better argument to be approved! Good Luck and Be Well! Julio

Hi, Colleen! Dr. Aranow's office has a sample letter that they'll send to your PCP for him to use as an example when he writes the letter for you. This way it'll include the key phrases that most insurance companies tend to look for in such a letter. For some reason, when I checked with my PCP's office, they hadn't received the sample letter, so I called Dr. A's office and they faxed it to my PCP. Another example of how you have to follow up and make sure that everything happens the way it's supposed to. Have you started going to the support group meetings yet? I'm at almost all of them, so next time you go, please introduce yourself to me (since you don't have a picture on OH.com and I won't know who you are). If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to post them or e-mail me, if you'd like. Debby