TennCare Select Help

Hello Again, After going back and reading I see that you never state which surgery you are hoping for and if you meet the guide lines for said surgery. I had the Duodenal Switch (Husted) and Dr. Husted or Spaw are the only two in Tennessee who do this surgery. If you are looking for the band or the RNY there are several doctors throughtout the state who do that. TC Select have a list and will help you. In order to know what you feel is best for you before seeing a surgeon go to one of Husted's seminars. They explain everything and what is best and how they do it. Once you know that then you can begin. You will have to have at the very least a years worth of records on your weight and health, your BMI needs to be high (over 50 is gonna get you in no matter what) do you have any health related problems? High blood pressure..........etc? You get the idea! Start at the beginning and plow your way through. It's not as hard as some may think but it take a steady hand and a person *****ally knows what they want. I now attend school so I can get a job writing letters for patients who are have been denied by their insurance companies. (This allows me to work out of a doctors office once certified) I am surprised as to how much one can make doing this job. I had no help and did a lot of surfing the internet to get mine done. But I love dogging the insurance company when they are wrong. Truth is get started, get your ducks in a row and do it. Know what you want and why you want it. AFter you have been to a seminar, talked to the doctor there, get a case manager as these are your first steps. Good Luck, Debra

Thank you Debra. I am looking into either have the DS or the VBG. And Dr. Husted is the surgeon i've wanted the whole time. I have had several friends have surgery with him and have heard nothing but the best. I do have alot of illnesses such as hypertension, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and hypothyroidism along with the usualy joint pains and swelling. I called and got a case manager from TennCare and she told me that I need to collect letters for referral from all of my doctors and give them to my PCP so they can file for the out of network request. And I have a appointment next week to see a nutrionist. I was told that I have to wait to get approval to meet with the surgeon to see which surgery is best for me. But I don't know how true this is. Well thank you for all of your help and anymore advice you have is welcomed. Thanks, Larry Williams