Question:
My PCP gave me a referral, but will not write a letter of medical necessity

Is it necessary to have a letter of medical necessity for the insurance to approve, or can my surgeon write a letter of medical necessity?    — Barbara S. (posted on April 5, 2000)

April 5, 2000
That is your surgeon's responsibility. Since he will be performing the procedure, he will send it to the insurance company. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 5, 2000
Barbara,My PCP gave me a referral too but did not write a letter. He did document my weight in the last two years for me and it was done on his stationary. Well, anyway, I wrote my own letter. I did not need him to do that for me. He is happy with my weight loss, now tho. He is happy for me knowing that I did this for myself. He thoght it was a drastic move. good luck with the letter.
   — Lee Ann B.

April 5, 2000
I am assuming that your pcp gave you a referral to see your surgeon, once he gave that referral and you see the surgeon, the surgeon, then sends a letter of medical necessity to your insurance along with the request for approval for surgery....
   — [Anonymous]

April 6, 2000
I did`nt have a letter from my pcp,in fact she did`nt really want to refer me,but i told her i needed to have all the facts before i made a dicision,although I did have a letter from my orthopedic surgeon stating that a 50-100 # loss would be benificial,but no mention of WLS. I would`nt think It would matter what the pcp thinks because thats why your going to a specialist(bariactric surgeon), for his opinion,his information is what the ins. will look at. this is only my opinion,but i hope it is of some use,all ins.co.`s are differant. good luck.
   — nancy T.