Bariatric friendly PCP's

Ok..I've been on this journey for almost a year now. My last appeal the insurance, Cigna HMO, wanted 6 months of Dr. supervised diet. Ok so I've done that and now my PCP is telling me to wait until the first of the year to appeal. I've jumped through the hoop I was asked too, and proven that I can't keep the weight off without help. I'm extremely frustrated, and it feels like it's not going to happen for me! Any suggestions on how to get throough this? There is no other disease in the world that you have to prove you can get well before they offer or provide help!!!!!!!!!!!! Andrea

Hi Andrea I wish I had a PCP too, I am post op and haven't seen a doctor since I left the hospital after my surgery. (if you find one, let me know!) Do you have to wait until next year to appeal to the Insurance company just because the Dr. Says so? If not, maybe you can appeal now anyway, or reapply. You also might want to consult an attorney if you are meeting the requirements they gave you and they are still denying you the surgery. Has your PCP helped you try and lose weight to meet the requirments for surgery? A few people here have taken Meridia to help them lose enough weight to qualify. Lastly, if you can't get coverage from your current insurance, can you change insurance carriers? Some employers offer more than one carrier. I've known of several people that changed jobs, even taking huge pay cuts and going to a job/field they hate just to get covered for WLS. I was very very lucky to have a job with insurance that covered my surgery, and I was approved right away. No diets, no appeals. All I had to do was fill out a few online forms. The Surgeons office handled everything after that. Don't give up! Tammers

Andrea, Here are the names of a few that I know of: Dr. James Biemer - he's got an office at Providence St. Vincent's Dr. George Demetrion - his office is over at Fanno Creek, close to Hillsdale Dr. Marnie Foley - the Portland Clinic in Beaverton Dr. Marcia Darm - she's an ob/gyn, but if your insurance allows you to have one as your PCP, then she's totally cool. She's at St. Vincent's. You could also call OHSU's Bariatric program and ask if they can recommend any WLS-friendly PCPs. Their contact info is at www.duodenalswitch.com - look under Oregon on the Surgeon's link. Blessings, dina BPD/DS July 2, 2002 Dr. Aniceto Baltasar in Alcoy, Spain SW: 365 lbs, BMI 64 CW: 160 lbs, BMI 25.8 GW: 130 lbs, BMI 23 Read my story at: http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Dina/dina.html See my photos in the Photo Gallery at http://www.bodybybaltasar.com/

I am still waiting for the insurance approval for my WLS. Many of you have mentioned that you need a PCP who is WLS friendly. My PCP is so 100% for WLS in the proper cases. She has done everything she possibly could to help me get where I am today. I have and I will continue to highly recommend her. If anyone is interested, here is her information. I would call her office first to find out if they accept your insurance. Dr. Anne Sutherland Gresham-Troutdale Medical Center 1700 SW 257th Ave Troutdale, OR 97060 503-669-6800 She is a straight shot up the hill from the outlet stores which is right beside the freeway. Real easy access from I-84. Hope this helps. Tanna