Letter from PCP

Just got a new PCP because my other one didn't seem like he was for the WLS.  My new PCP seems to be very open to WLS, but he just started his practice  6 months ago and I don't know if he know how or what to say in the letter to the insurance company for approval. Just wondering is someone has a copy of one I could bring to him or if you have any suggestion for the letter it would be greatly appreciated  I only have 2 1/2 month of the diet and exercise to go. I am hoping all go smooth with the approval. I have Cigna and have High Cholesterol, Sleep Apnea, Lower back pain, Swelling in my legs and feet, borderline Hypertension. My BMI is 36.1
Thank you for you time

Wendy

I will send you a sample of the letter my PCP wrote!

Nan

Hi Nan,

That would be wonderful,  I really would appreciate the letter.  I'm worried he just would not write it in a way the insurance will approve me. I think all these hoop we have to go through for insurance to approve us is a lot of head games.   Now we all have to worried this new  Government is going to change all our insurance to the new insurance plan they are trying to pass. We just all have to think positive and everything will work out.

Thanks Again,

Wendy

Glad to help you and GOOD LUCK with your approval!  I know getting through the approval process was more of a woryy than the surgery itself :-)  I am so thankful to have been approved and to be able to have my surgery.

Keep me posted on how your approval goes!

Nan

Hi Nan,

Can you send me a copy of your PCP letter, too?  I'd really appreciate it. 

I Just came back from my PCP appointment a few hours ago and found that my pcp is no longer there.  The physican that saw me said that since she's there temporarily (2 or 3 months****il a replacement comes, she doesn't feel comfortable writing anything. Despite the fact that she said that I did need the surgery.  Go figure...

Anyhoo, I'd like to have a copy to present to the new PCP that I do get.

thanks.

I will PM it to you!!  Good Luck to you!

hi wendy i just started the process like 2 months ago i have no commorbidities(which means i have no health risk due to my weight) except i am vvery depressed and soo sad and i feel sooo tired and sooo dissapointed and i feel like there is no way out.......but as per the conversation i had with my doctor Sleep Apnea is an automatic acceptance and swelling in your legs too- i wouldnt worry too much it seems that you will be accepted - go into my physician website and u will also find a copy of a letter of how it should look - surgicallyslim.com - go into that website and there is a general letter thatur pcp may use as well- GOOD LUCK and keep in touch too. my bmi is 38 or sooo but i have no health issues but im confident it wil be ok, i am looking forward to this surgery sooo much.

Hi Maderd01,
Thanks and I was wondering if you have had a sleep study,  I didn't know I have sleep apnea until I went to the sleep center and I do have it.  Good luck with you process and keep me update. 

Wendy

I too have CIGNA and was recently approved.  My original PCP was not for weight loss surgery either.  She half heartedly wrote me a  letter which was entirely too vague IMO.  She wrote, verbatim:

Referral to bariatric medicine obesity.  Patient has tried several diets in the past and has continued to gain weight.  Referred for possible gastric bypass surgery.

Of course I was not satisfied with that.  I asked her she could add a few things.  She told me to write a letter and she will see if she will use it.  I cannot find the letter at this very moment (looking).  But I know that I aske her to include my comorbities, the types of diets AND exercises I have done in the past.  I also asked her to include the fact that I have been educated on both the risks and the benefits.  I know it was two paragraphs.  When I find it I will def let you see it. 

I also included my own letter with detailed info of my weight struggles and diets (supervised and unsupervised) in the past.  I aslo included statements letting whomever know I have educated myself on the risks and benefits and I am willing to work with the 'tool' to assist me in losing the weight I needed.  My personal letter was two pages long. 

Thanks Alecia,  Any help I can get would be wonderful.  I'm so happy for you and your upcoming surgery keep me updated on how you are doing.  I will be praying for you for speedy recovery.

Wendy