:help: looking for info. on kaiser ins.

I just swithed to kaiser and wanted to know if anyone knows how there WLS program works?? i did call and all they said was it has to be medical ness. also need a pcp in salem that is WLS friendly and is with kaiser... thanks all........

Well I have Kaiser and I'll tell you they are very hard to get approved with. I did have a medical problems. Acid reflux so bad the I had it getting into my lungs. And I was to fat to the other surgery, so WLS was my only option. But I know people that have been going to all of Kaisers classes and support groups for up to 2 years and still don't have a surgery date. Sorry I know this is not what you wanted to hear. On a good note Kaiser has a great Baritric group out of Sunnyside Hospital. they are all wonderful to work with.

thanks for the info Diane... weather kaiser will cover this or not i know its what I have to do, so im keeping my fingers crossed.. Take care..

I am pretty sure the Salem area has it's own bariatric program. I was involved with the one at Sunnyside here in the Portland area. The first thing you will need to do is make an appointment with your pcp. It sounds like you don't have one yet, but yes it would help to get a reference to a weight loss friendly one. On that visit you will get a referral to the bariatric surgery program. Once this referral is made, the next step will most likely be to get an appointment to attend an informational seminar. Once you have attended that, you will be contacted by the coordinator of the program to schedule visits with the nutritionist and psychologist/social worker. There is a requirement to attend a six week "Freedom From Diets" class. It would be a good idea to get signed up now. I don't think you actually have to be in the bariatric program to attend that class, and it will be required. There will be numerous hoops to jump through. It may seem like a long process, but if you just plug along you will get through them before you know it. The best thing with Kaiser is to be aggresive and get things scheduled, because most things can take weeks/months. I agree with Diane that it can be a challenge to get a surgery date, but she is proof that it can be done. I was one of the ones who tried for two years and ended up getting it done with another insurance company. Still, this surgery has been so worth it that I would strongly recommend trying your best to work within the coverage you have. If you succeed it would be great. Good luck. Patty

Aw way cool patty thanks for all the info.. I have a appointment set for the 29th of this Mo. i just hope and pray the Doc @ skyline is WLS friendly so im crossing my fingers... I havent yet checked out about classes yet, but IM going to jump on that right way, again Thank you!

I also have Kaiser insurance. My experience hasn't been bad... just long. I have been actively working their program for 10 months and will be seeing the surgeon March 9th. Part of my delay is that I took the 12week class and not the 5 week (didn't know I could) after that I found out the 5 week was accepted. If you take the class early on and lose 20-30lbs you can complete the program a lot faster, BUT you will not be approved if you don't lose any weight. I am hoping the positive side of this process is that I will be prepared for post-op, but time will tell. Good luck, they are great people just a slow system. BE PERSISTENT!