Psych Eval -- Dos & Don'ts
I tried to make the evaluation focus on the fact that I understood what would change in my life after surgery and that I was ready to deal with that. I researched everything for nearly two years and I made sure the doctor knew that. I also gave the doctor my weight life history---how I'd been overweight my whole life and how it affected my childhood, treatment from other kids, what I felt I missed out on, etc. I tried to talk a lot about being worried about my health.
The first doctor I went to typed up a three-page evaluation based on several visits lasting an hour each. The approval process dragged on for so long that my insurance requested another eval by another doctor. First thing that doctor did was to give me a 21-question test that was supposed to be some kind of depression screener. She said my answers indicated deception and that I was actually depressed. WHAT??? I told her that no 21-question test and ten minutes of time with me was going to ruin the two years of work I spent trying to get that approval and that if she put that in her evaluation I'd sue her. She then just asked me a lot of questions for about 30 minutes. She handwrote three sentences about how I was a good candidate for the surgery and gave it to me. That was it. I included her business card with the handwritten letter when I sent it in. I figured if the insurance company wanted more, they'd ask me. I ended up getting approved about three weeks later.
Hi Katie---I worked with the first doctor I went to for several sessions. We worked together well and covered a lot of ground. Her evaluation was quite thorough and she obviously put a lot of thought and time into it. But the approval process took so long the insurance people decided that evaluation had gotten old! I went to a doctor that my insurance said they'd cover with no problems. She didn't seem to have a clue what my evaluation was supposed to be for and she only scheduled me for 30 mins. When she gave me that quickie test and announced that my answers were "deceptive" without even having spent any time talking with me I could not believe it!!! I had visions of DENIAL LETTERS after two years of work, blown by a 21-question test. NO WAY!
I brought a copy of the first doctor's evaluation with me and told Dr. #2 that I was there simply to satisfy a requirement of my insurance company after already having gone through an extensive evaluation with Dr. #1 who specialized in eating disorders and behavioral modification. I don't think she did anything unethical but she got the hint what I wanted and what she needed to do. It was clear I was not going to become a long-term patient, nor did I need to be. Twenty minutes later I had my letter and IT WORKED so there ya go....
I also wrote my own one-page appeal letter and it kicked butt.
Hi Katie,
I just had mine 2 weeks ago. It was 2 parts. The first part was a computerized test all true and false questions 567 of them. and then another pen and pencil test of about 60 true false questions reqarding eating habits.
Two days later I say the Psychologist. He reviewed my test results and just wanted to make sure that I knew what I was getting myself into and also that I had a good support system for after the surgery.
The test took me about an hour and I spent an hour with the Doctor. It was not that big a deal. You will do just fine.
Regards and hugs, 
Ronna
Ronna 
(deactivated member)
on 9/21/05 7:04 am
on 9/21/05 7:04 am
Hi Ronna Sweetie~
Yours sounds very much like how mine is supposed to go. I need to be prepared for a 3-hour visit with some computer, some ppr. and pen and some time w/the psychologist.
3 hours is a looooooooong time! Ah well, I am happy to do it if it gets me one step closer.
Katie
Katie 
Il be rooting for ya! Most Active
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