Question:
What should I do, my pcp is taking a long time to complete referral to local surgeon?

She is supportive of me obtaining more info and said that she would refer me to a local Bariatric surgeon. I call every week and they keep saying it is a long process. I know I will have to wait for a long time just to get an appointment so I don't want to keep waiting just for the referral to be complete. What can I do about this other than continue to call them??    — kmack (posted on September 9, 2005)

September 9, 2005
Your doctor is composing a letter that is written specifically about you and you alone. She has to take all the information from your chart and give an explaination as to what transpired at each of your appointments. Many times a doctor will dictate this info and send it to a transcriptionist for the letter to be typed. I know this because my internist does this and then the doctor is dependent on how busy this service is. Sometimes it takes a couple weeks just to get the letter back. See you just need to be a little patient in regards to this. Also, we like to think that we are the doctor's only patient and the only one s/he is writing letters for. I am sure that your doctor has other coorespondence that is being written. You will get your referral soon.
   — ChristineB

September 9, 2005
Hi Kelley, I feel the same way as you. I am also waiting on my PCP for the letter, but my PCP is waiting for the reslts of my Sleep test, and I was told that could take two months. I started the process end of MAY and I am still waiting, it is nerve recking and I am so anxious I could scream all day long lol.... advice just relax and wait.... we want to make sure u are ok for surgery, so let your PCP take his/her time... I see it like this I have been fat for over 20 years a couple months more is not going to make much of a diffrence.....
   — desndarr

September 10, 2005
Each Dr's proceedure is different and within that each medical group and then insurance company require different things for surgeon referral...some are quick, some are not...PATIENCE is hard - I know...it's my worst subject also, but that is what you need....and FAITH. I was told originally that it would take several weeks for my referral to come through and then I was told that I would be required to do a 6-month nutritional course before they would approve the referral...I wrote a letter to my PCP and to the Medical Group & Insurance company describing my life-long battle with obesity, my medical conditions and all my attempts at weight loss, even though I had no proof I gave dates...I was so thrilled when 2 weeks later I was given my referral - then my surgery was approved within 2 weeks and I had surgery within 6 weekd of that...WOW...see it can happen, sometimes we need to prompt the system, but patience and faith will win in the end! GOOD LUCK in your journey....LauraG
   — Laura G.

September 10, 2005
I'm not sure why you have been waiting so long. In the past, when I had an HMO and needed a referal to a specialist, I always left my PCP appointment with the referal in hand. She needs to refer you so you can make the appointment, depending on your area, you may have to wait awhile to get in to see the surgeon. If your PCP needs to compose a letter (and that is something you need to check out, usually ins. companies want letters of medical necessity from the doc doing the procedure, not the referring doc), then at least you will be on the appointment list for the surgeon while you wait for your PCP, killing time for both at once. I would think that the surgeon can just request your medical records to help with his letter to your ins. company. The only other option is to fire your current PCP, and get a new one. Call some local bariatric surgeons and find out which PCPs have been good with referals, etc., and switch. Good luck!
   — Ali M

September 10, 2005
If it has been over a month, it is too long! I would call and tell them that you will come and pick up the referral in three weeks (give them a date) and then do it. YOu are paying them, after all!
   — Novashannon

September 10, 2005
I don't know what the big deal is with your PCP giving you a referral. I have Aetna HMO NJ and it didn't take long at all. It should only take a few days (3-4) to give you a referral. If I were you I would go ahead make the app't. w/bariatric surgeon to let the PCP know that your are serious, and then let your PCP know that you have an app't. set for a certain date. So you would be putting a little pressure on the him/her to get the referral to you to get the "ball rolling." I hope this makes since to you. Best of luck in your journey. Shahshah
   — City Gurl

September 12, 2005
Just a thought: call to make the appt w/bariatric surgeon, and see if the staff there will contact PCP to have to referral faxed directly to their office.
   — Chris S.