Gastric friendly PCP?

Hi, I'm new here. I just have a question for anyone who may have the answer. I was recently put on Tenncare AmeriChoice insurance, and have to choose a new Primary care physician that accepts it. I want to be sure that the new physician is gastric bypass friendly. I have not had the surgery yet. I'm going to the seminar next month, and then hopefully scheduling a consultation. The lady on the phone said I would need to have a new PCP by then and be established with him in order to get a referral for the surgery.
Does anyone have any recomendations of who I should go to? I am in Oak Ridge, about 20 minutes outside of Knoxville. I'd be willing to go to any doctor in this vicinity, or within a 45 minute drive.
Thank you all so much! And hopefully I can get to know some of you :) 

Welcome Kelly,
I am not very familiar with PCP's in Oak Ridge that take AmeriChoice.  Have you looked into the bariatric surgeons who take it yet?  That might be the bigger challenge. But, if you know who does take it, call their office and talk to their staff.  They can usually tell you which PCP's refer to them on a regular basis. It takes a lot of investigative work to get all of this done, I assure you.  Good luck with beginning this great journey!

Marilyn,

Thank you for responding. I am supposed to go to Dr. Boyce's seminar about it on April  7th.  The first thing I asked when I called to put my name on the list for it was if my insurance covered it. (Didn't want to waste my time, you know).  The lady on the line said that it did, and that I just had to have a PCP and be fairly established with him before I could really do the consultation. Just trying to find that PCP now. I know some are very anti gastric bypass and just prefer giving you loads of diet pills and sending you to outrageously priced nutritionists, so I want to avoid those if at all possible (been down that road many times).  I know I don't have a whole lot of time left, so I'd prefer not having to make 10 different appointments just to find the "right" doctor. :)

Thanks again for your reply!!

Hi, Kelly. I have AmeriChoice. While I was preparing for surgery Dr. Boyce didn't take my insurance. It was BlueCare until the beginning of this year and I was already established with another surgeon. I couldn't have used Dr. Boyce anyway though because I couldn't afford the $3000 program fee that has to be paid before he will schedule surgery. I used Dr. Michael Hodge in Johnson City. It is a bit of a drive but the program is excellent. There are no fees above what the insurance pays. They have monthly support group meeting that are moderated and very educational. The nutritionist, the office manager, and the surgery coordinator all are available anytime as they freely give out their email and phone numbers and are available for questions any time. I'm very happy with them inspite of the 2 hour drive.
I've heard only good things about Dr. Boyce, but there was no way I could afford the program fee. Just thought I would throw another option out there for you.
Karen