Insurance Woes

So my insurance announced that they could not reach a contract with the hospital network where I had my surgery and am followed for follow-up. They are giving a 30 day transition, which basically means my last visit with him will be this week.

So, I'm unsure if I should get established with another surgeon. Surgeon's jobs are to cut...and I'm not facing surgery- so why would they even want to establish me as a new patient?? But then I'd hate to not establish myself somewhere, and then have a complication leading to need to see a bariatric surgeon, who may not be willing to see me at that point.

I guess I could follow-up with my PCP going forward. I'm definitely going to get my medical records from this hospital. Also, I'm going to ask the doc for a letter outlining the standard follow-up blood work for a bariatric patient, hopefully that will fend off arguments from new/unwilling docs.

Never mind the other million and one things hubby & I have medically going on-- and we relied on this hospital network for everything. Ugh. I especially feel bad for people who are waiting surgery with my insurance/doc-- if they don't get in this month they are screwed.

I haven't seen my surgeon in over 2 years; I do all of my bloodwork and follow-up care with my GP. I asked the surgeon to send my file to the GP's office, so they have it if needed, and it was a very easy transition. Hopefully it would go similarly for you?

This practice prided it self on lifelong follow-up care, I liked that about them. Even now, the PCP orders different labs than the surgeon. I was able to get everything I wanted done between the two of them. I think it'll take some convincing (hopefully in the form of a letter from the surgeon) to have my PCP do all that the bariatirc doc was ordering.

I think your surgeon reaching out to your PCP with a Bariatric necessary lab monitoring list is your best bet for now. Hope the transition goes better than expected!!

It will be ten years this month and I still see my surgeon and NUT every year. He took my gallbladder out this year. He orders labs, but my PCP is the person I am most involved with. The advantage to me with the surgical group is that they are very involved with being on top of the latest information and can answer weight loss surgery related questions for me.

The PCP is involved in so many other things and not usually aware of things like changes in vitamin recommendations after RNY.

I talk to my surgeon all the time. It may be because I have had ongoing issues with reflux and RH, but his practice also prides themselves on lifetime follow up and it was one thing I liked about them.

can you go across the river to NJ with your insurance or do you need to stay in Philly? My doctor is from Cooper originally from Temple. love him and his nuts plus virtua has a great group along with Kennedy. if you need names will gladly help you

I appreciate the offer, but we've got too many great hospitals (UPenn, Jefferson, Abington, Hahnemann are all options for me) locally to justify me going to NJ.

Thanks though!

That sucks, Peach. I would definitely find a new surgeon. I am sure your GP can do the blood work and routine stuff but I think it is important to have a bariatric doctor looped into your history and part of their practice in case you have complications in the future.

I get your issue, worrying about a complication and not being able to find a bariatric surgeon who will take you on. As for my bi-annual blood work, I have my PCP run it. My surgeon only does the actual follow ups for the first year after surgery, and only sees me now if I have complications related to my RNY. I would definitely find another bariatric surgeon if you can, just for the complication issues.