Question:
could anyone tell me if this letter from my pcp is good.

OK I just went to her this morning I needed to bring her my records from my old pcp from 1999,and to pick up letter of support from her, she just asked me if I have been on pills before and then i told her yes I was on fastin,phentermine told her all the diets I have been on then she said yes it does sound like surgery would b good 4 u and she just put in the letter that to whom it may concern,this is to notify you that my patient(my name)tried different methods to reduce weight,including diet exercise fasting,jenny craig and fentermine-etc... Nothing seems to be working. She is expecting to have surgery to reduce wt- I think it is necessary for her to undergo for the surgery for her health and physical being.Sincerly(her name) .Should I have her put all of my health problems also and medications or do you think I can show all of the pharmacy receipts with all of that info. on them? please let me know what U think.Oh while I was in her office she listened to my heart and heard a murmur and is sending me to a cardiologist but that apt. isnt until oct.3 and my first consultation is sept.19 should I still just keep that appt. and wait to send in phys. evaluation and echocardiagram later or is it better to reshedule appt.. when I HAVE ALL TOGETHER/ ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED THANK YOU.    — Kelliann S. (posted on September 5, 2002)

September 5, 2002
Kelliann: I agree with the previous post. My surgeon wrote the actual letter to the Insurance Co.In it she had all my medical problems and medication. She also included a list of all the diet plans I had tried. Be sure and have a list of your medications .My Surgeon just checked my weight and measurements. Mostly she just told me which operation she thought I should have, and answered any questions I had. Good Luck..Keep us posted on how it went. Nancy Poe
   — NANCY P.

September 5, 2002
That's pretty much what my pcp wrote. I was afraid it was too general and too short, but My insuance company accepted it without any problems. (Mail Handlers/federal)
   — Darlene P.

September 5, 2002
I agree with the other responses. Your doctor's letter sounds ok. Here's what I did - along with my doctor's letter, I ended up sending a note to my insurance company which I had compiled listing my diets over the last few years as well as all the weight loss medication I had taken since my doctor didn't list those. I even got copies of my previous doctors' records showing the diets, etc. along with pharmacy receipts and nutrisystem receipts. The insurance company was going to deny the approval until I sent them my list, I got approved the next day! As far as your cardiologist appointment is concerned, you should keep your appointment - your health might be at risk if you don't. I had a similar situation. I went ahead with my consultation eventhough my initial cardiologist's appointment was a month later. If they do find something, you can always inform your insurance company which will probably help in their approval process. As a matter of fact, eventhough my doc didn't find any problems, he offered to write my insurance company a letter saying that I should have the surgery. Don't worry and good luck!
   — lezawomack