Way frustrated with doctors

Heya, i have been lurking around for a couple weeks but finally decided t post. Hi. I have had my initial consult with my surgeon and finally, after many many conversation with the morons who work at my medical group (I have to deal with a medical group within a huge HMO) I finally got in to see a doctor so that I could get my referrals. I got my bloodwork done last night and got appointments for almost everything - just need to do psych, dietician and upper GI endoscopy. I am actually totally excited with this progress - anything to make me feel closer to my surgery!!! Here is where my total frustration comes in thogh - I called to get a psych eval today and was told that even after I get my referral form and insurance authorization to them, there is no guarantee I will get an appointment anytime in the next few months. And this is just to sit down with a doctor for an hour!!! I wanted to see if any of yo uhad to go throguh this too. I have Blue Cross of California HMO 100%. I also wanted to see if any of you went to a psychologist or psychiatrist outside of your network. I would be willinto just eat the few hundred dollars it will cost to get an eval from someone outside of this hellish HMO I have foudn myself in today! Thanks in advance for whatever answers you guys have. Thanks also for all the info you give to me without knowing about it!

Hi, I had the same problem getting in for the psych eval. I have Capital Blue Cross insurance. At my initial appointment with the surgeon in April, he told me I would need to see a trainer, dietician, and have a psych eval. When I contacted the psychiatrist she told me her earliest appointment was in June! Then, on top of that, they had to cancel my appointment at the last minute and reschedule it for September. The only thing I am finding helpful about it is that since my surgeon requires a 10% weight loss on the dietician's supervised diet, if I lose my 10% by Sept. all I have to do is have my psych eval and I'll be ready to be approved. It helps to have a goal or date to work toward, but I know it's hard waiting when you're looking forward to getting it done!

Thanks Jamie. I know I just need to be patient but it gets so frustrating. I have been going through this process for almost 2 years in all - there was a lot of back and forth about what I needed to get t mu surgeon for the initial consult (first they had everythign but my leter, then they had everythign but my questionnaire, then they had everythign but my referral - it was harder than dealing with applying ot schools and getting financial aid!!!) I just have to keep movin' forward and keep screaming into my muted phone.

Just an update - I got a call back from my surgeon's office that I can do a psych eval by someone out of network. I am so glad!!! Here's to moving forward!