insurance woes

Of course my primary physician will not give me a referral to the surgeon until I have a year of physician supervised weight loss. I have "Health Options" in Florida. I have had supervised weight loss in the past years ago. I am not even sure if I can find those records it was so long ago. But I have been to many, many organizations to lose weight of course, but none of those were physician supervised. Weigh****chers, TOPS, Overeaters anon, etc, etc, even the one like LA weightloss was not physician supervised. So now where am I ??????????? I say let the surgeon "duke it out" with the insurance. I am very motivated to have the surgery, but now here I am--- wondering what to do next. I am going to try to locate the old records. But my BMI is over 50, is that not reason enough??? I didn't get this way without dieting!!! Every time I dieted I lost a lot of weight only to have it come back and then more. Frustrated and disgusted with myself. Any ideas, tips, solutions, similar problems? Deb

Hey Deb; I hear you, I was worried about my PCP giving the referral and she did RELUCTANTLY.... What I would do is call your WLS surgeon and others in the area and find some WLS friendly PCP's that you can switch to. Usually most insurance plans will allow you to switch for as simple a reason as you are not comfortable with the PCP you have now. I know my Dr here in CO has a list of several WLS friendly PCPs and my best friend called one. On her first visit to this PCP he was not only willing to give her a strong referral but a letter of necessity as well.... Hope this helps Judith