Question:
My primary care physcian is against me having the surgery

Dr Champion of Atlanta is the Dr that I would like to do my surgery and my insurance will not cover unless I am referred by my PCP what do I do?    — jjpj497 (posted on August 8, 2001)

August 8, 2001
Hi, Do you have a chance to CHANGE PCP? Possibly have your surgeon to be send an entire packet of information to this PCP explaining the surgery. Please let me know if you can change doctors, some physicians are so ignorant of the procedure and MOST OFTEN they do not understand obesity at all. Let me know what happens. In the mean time. I'll see if I know another avenue of approach. Take Care and hang in there!
   — Karen Renee

August 9, 2001
I knew that my PCP would not give me a referral, so I changed PCP's! With my insurance, I am able to change doctors eery 24 hours. A friend of mine who is herself an MD, gave me the name of a doctor who is a friend of hers. I had no trouble at my first visit getting my referral. I think that I would research this site for others with your surgeon and your insurance and ask who their PCP is. I would definitely recommend changing docs. You are the consumer and in charge of your health. It worked for me.
   — Shelley.

August 9, 2001
Easy...change pcp's.
   — [Anonymous]

August 9, 2001
I agree - change your pcp - you need a doctor who is going to be supportive and understanding - someone who is willing to work with you and encourage you - find a new doctor, let them know how much you have researched this, have your records transferred and move on - you are not committed to anyone but yourself.........good luck.
   — Sharon Jones

August 9, 2001
I went thru the same thing with my PCP. I wasted months!! He gave me the referal, but when Iasked him for a letter of support, he dropped me as a patient saying "if this is gonna require me writing a novel then I dot have time for this." (please pardon the "typos", my son spilled a glass of water on the keyboard today, and now it kinkd kinda has a mind of its own) anyways...I asked my surgeons office if they could reccomend a PCP that was "WLS friendly" and they did. hat a what a godsend!!! He has me well on my way, and assures me that he can get me a diagnosis that will gain me approval. I would check with my surgeons office. Your PCP is crucial to get approval. Good Luck!!
   — skymaxjr