Question:
How do I find a dietician

HI. I've called my insurance company to see what kinda of information they will require for my authorization. My appt. with my PCP for the initial referral to the surgeon isn't until July 1, and the appt for initial consult with the surgeon is on August 13. Before then I would like to have my psych evaluation and dietician consult completed to speed up the paperwork. If I do this, how do I locate a dietician to make the appointment with prior to actually seeing my PCP for the referral. I hope that questions makes sense, I was trying to condense it as much as possible. Thanks for your help :-)    — valarien (posted on May 23, 2003)

May 23, 2003
If your insurance requires a visit to a dietician, call your surgeon's office and see if there's someone they recommend. My insurance didn't want one, but the surgeon did and there's one he uses for all his bariatric surgery patients.
   — garw

May 23, 2003
Hi, call your surgeon to see if he has a dietician available for you to see cuz my surgeon already had one and set up an appt. with her. good luck
   — Melodee S.

May 23, 2003
Call your insurance and make sure your PCP does not have to refer you. I have am HMO and my PCP has to refer me to anybody I need to see.
   — Sharon H.

May 23, 2003
Thanks for the great answers!!! Let me clarify. I know that my insurance requires a referral from my PCP, I just want to set up the appointment so that when I see my PCP it is already set up and all I need is the referral and won't have the long wait between appointments. I spoke with my PCP's office and they just said she uses dieticians from the local hospitals. The surgeon doesn't care which dietician you go to, they say whoever your PCP recommends. I may just have to wait.
   — valarien

May 23, 2003
Thanks for the great answers!!! Let me clarify. I know that my insurance requires a referral from my PCP, I just want to set up the appointment so that when I see my PCP it is already set up and all I need is the referral and won't have the long wait between appointments. I spoke with my PCP's office and they just said she uses dieticians from the local hospitals. The surgeon doesn't care which dietician you go to, they say whoever your PCP recommends. I may just have to wait.
   — valarien