Question:
My PCP won't refer me? Does anyone go to Kaiser in Harbor City, CA

and have experience in getting a referral to have the surgery? My doctor does not know anything about the surgery and how to refer patients to the doctors (especially since they are at UCLA so I heard). Does anyone know how to get the ball rolling here. He wants me to do all of the footwork and I am willing because I want this procedure. Thanks    — Dannielle K. (posted on August 18, 1999)

August 18, 1999
Hi, Not long ago, I was in your shoes. I had Kaiser, (Oakland), I have been a member there since a child (31 now). About a year ago, I started doing research about this medical procedure. 6 months ago, I started the procedure with my physician at Kaiser. My doctor claimed to know nothing about this procedure, I given her medical journals printed on the web, and risks involved also. These are the steps I did to try to get approval within Kaiser that may help you. 1. I looked up every surgeon on this site in my area. 2. I called their office, ask them if they ever did the surgery on anyone from Kaiser. 3. When they answer was yes, I asked who was the patient's primary. 4. I did learn that Kaiser sends approval to a "Committe" first. This committee has denied claims before. 5. Suggestion: if your Primary doctor says no, change doctors. Tip: I read from other Kaiser members, that if you get a letter from every doctor you see saying how your obesity effects your health, this is helpful. Did I leave Kaiser? As soon as open enrollment came around, you bet! I am now closer to having the surgery than ever before even with my previous health conditions that existed. (which Kaiser used as finally denying me) So, as I am typing this, I am chewing (air) slowly 30 times to practice for my reality. Take care and good luck!
   — [Anonymous]

August 18, 1999
Danielle, Your Kaiser PCP is just being LAZY! The info he needs re WLS w/ Kaiser is readily available to him thru his Kaiser data base as well as in a WLS pamphlet and/or info sheet spelling out Kaiser's WLS criteria. It's not your job to get these answers for yourself...it's his...he's suppose to be "Your partner in health" as Kaiser claims to be. You should contacy patient assistance and report his laziness and/or better yet find a more supportive PCP. Patient Assistance can help you w/ that too. Tell them you specifically want a PCP who is informed and supportive of WLS. I'm in No. Cal and had to do this process up here too. But I know there are many WLS supportive PCPs at Kaiser So Cal, you just have to find them. There are many folks on the OSSG list who have had their WLS at UCLA thru Kaiser. Why not send out a message to the OSSG list asking for anyone who had WLS at UCLA thru Kaiser to tell you who & where their PCP was and how they got started. Good luck! You really gatta stand up for yourself when it come to Kaiser! Debby P. in Pleasanton, CA waiting for auth from Kaiser BMI 66
   — Debby P.