Open enrollment time!!

My open enrollment is finally here so I change back to United Healthcare.  I have decided to go through OHSU's program and I was curious if anyone had any experience with them.  How long it takes, etc??  I look forward to hearing from you! Angela

Yep-love 'em. I am going up to see Dr. Deveny tomorrow for my 6 mo checkup. See my profile for more info. Several others here are going through them See - vickie_pnw -and Linda_S too. 

Yes -  I had surgery in July at OHSU.  I had Dr. Robert O'Rourke.  He's a great surgeon and I had recovered very well.  I had RNY.  They also do the band and Duodenal Switch.  I went to their info session in January, had my initial appointments with the NP and nutritionist at the end of February, then had surgery in July. Linda

Hi Linda! Thanks for the response.  I have heard nothing but great things about OHSU and the Drs.  Your time frame from start to finish is amazing.  Currently I have Kaiser (YUCK) and sent in my paperwork back in September. They STILL have not called me and it was mailed over a month ago. Not impressed so I am switching.  I will have my new insurance beginning on Jan 1st and I have already contacted OHSU about getting signed up for the orientation.  I can't wait to be on the losers bench.  I hope all goes well!! Keep up the great work! Angela

Hi Angela, I wanted to invite you to check out my profile. I had my surgery at OHSU with Dr. Deveney. I also had United Healthcare. My time frame from Orientation to Surgery was less than 6 months, including all tests medical, sleep study, Primary Care letter, and Psych Eval. If you have any ???'s feel free to ask away!!!  Good Luck to you. Hope all the right doors open for you at the right time!! Christina

Hi Angela, I was whisked right through at OHSU in just 3 months. My first appointment was January 2, and my surgery (with Dr Deveney) was April 4. I lucked out with both of my sleep studies because they had cancellations and I was available to go that same night. The longest component was the psych evaluation. They are understaffed and overbooked so it can take quite a while to get an appointment. Anyway, they do a great job there and you'll be in good hands!

Angela hello i am with uhc as well. I just moved here from Florida and i can not find a good primary do ctor who actually understands me and being obese.. also the only place i knew of was legacy hospital. can anyone tell me why they choose oshu vs legacy. Im so lost at this point im also trying to find a girlfirned or pal to help with support and help me with exerciisng and just getting to know people i work from home so i dont get out much only weekends and evenings. I live in portland so if anyone would or can assist me that would be great. I know uhc is a better plan keep us posted angela ... looking to find out what uhc tells you as well.. i will find out also .. Seeking new friends Susan

Hello everyone! I really appreciate all the information I have received.  I too need to find a primary doctor that I can go to for regular visits.  I imagine it would be best to pick an OHSU dr so if anyone has any suggestions on that, it would be great.  I was so happy today when I spoke to my HR  and she said that it would be no problem for me to get off as much time as I need for my surgery and that my short term disability is going up!  I will be getting 72% of my wages and I only need to wait a week instead of 2 weeks so that is very cool. Anyways, if you have a good DR and feel like sharing, I would appreciate it! Thanks so much everyone!! Angela

Welcome Angela! I have been a patient at OHSU for about 35 years.  I suggest that you call the Internal Medicine Clinic at 503-494-8562.  Most doctors there accept new patients.  My PCP is on the main campus up on the Hill and some other internists are in the newer building on the waterfront.  Mine is willing to maintain contact with my WL surgeon and to do all the follow-ups as directed by him.  However, I will be having periodic post-op follow-ups with my WL surgeon for several years. It is very nice that you will be receiving 72 percent of your weekly wages while you're on STD.  Most employers offer only 50 to 67 percent. I had my initial contact with the Digestive Health Center at OHSU 5 days after mailing in my WLS application, and my initial appointments were about 6 weeks later.  It may be February or March of 2008 before I undergo WLS, but that is OK with me. Best of luck!

ANGELA  I  called today i have united healthcare and ohsu advised me of next class 11.5.07 at 530 . i also found a clinic they referred me to that the dr work with ohsu directly . the number is $503.494.9992 press option 2 ask for sandra she very nice and help full they are off of barbur near gabrielle park not sure if that is to far for you.. She also told me what they write on the computer niotes for your files the dr at oshu can see then and vice versa so they do work witht the bariatric tem if need be they have had few patient there that are overweight and working with them . so chk them out i hope this helps here is a list of teo dr you can check with your insurance co if they are provider on your network if so call sandra .. let her know they are .. fran biagidi or mark bajorek ... hope this helps.. im all set and ready to go ..