Talksoupslp is the Goddess of SHBP Information!

Okay, hang on...how did you get the phone number for Optium Health?  UHC didn't have any info when I talked to them last week.  Could you please post the phone number?

To answer your other question, I believe you don't have to have psych counseling...it's "behavior counseling"...which generally means 6 months worth of visits with a nutritionist.  You will have to have a visit with a psychologist for surgical clearance, but if the psych clears you for surgery you wouldn't have to do follow up psych counseling (unless he/she recommends it).

-Elli "the Goddess"

1-888-936-7246 is the number.  Give them a call and post what you find out.  Maybe they can clear the counseling part up for us.  Are you under the impression that the surgeon we choose would do the weight loss plan and counseling, or do you think all of that is with our own PCP?

Generally speaking, you would do the 6 month weight loss plan with your current PCP.  As far as the nutritional counseling?  The surgeon I'm already set up with (this may have to change with this insurance stuff as I might be taking Cigna) has his own in office nutritionist.  So, for me, I would do it with her.  If the surgeon you are going to choose doesn't have that option, then you would have to find your own nutritionist.  And maybe the surgeon's office could supply you with a name or two.

Thanks for the number.  I'll post if I find out anything different.
-Elli

Will you also tell me which surgeon you are set up with?  How are you already seeing a surgeon under SHBP?  Do you have a specific pro to go with Cigna instead of UHC?  Thanks for helping me out.

I just got off the phone with Optimum Health.  She couldn't confirm or deny whether they would make us start in Jan'09 or if we could start now.  She didn't THINK they would make us start in January 09 if some of it's already been done, but wasn't sure.  I'm on hold with SHBP now...