Question:
WHAT IF YOU HAVE NO PCP?

OKAY, I HAVE HAD MY SON 10 MONTHS AGO, BUT I HAVE NO REGULAR PCP, SO WOULD I HAVE TO GET MY RECORDS FROM HER OBSTETRICIAN? AFTERWARDS, I DID TRY SEEING A NUTRITIONALIST, BUT IT TURNED OUT BEING TO EXPENSIVE, SO I STOPPED. SO SINCE MY CONSULT ISN'T UNTIL SEPT., SHOULD I BE TRYING TO SEE A NEW DOCTOR AND GET A LETTER OF MEDICAL NESSITY OR GET LETTERS FROM THEM BOTH? AND WHAT STEPS DO I DO TO GET THESE LETTERS?    — Tanya F. (posted on June 27, 2003)

June 27, 2003
I see you have blue cross and it's my understanding that their new policy requirements for WLS is that you have to have 6 months of doctor supervised dieting within the last year. I could be wrong, but that's my understanding. Hope someone else can give you more hopeful info!
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 27, 2003
Tanya, I was just approved in IL with BCBS PPO with no supervised diet history, and no co-morbidities that most would consider significant. I'm also going through Rush but with Dr. Frantzides. If I were you, I would schedule an appt with a family doctor. I found a DR in my area that can do everthing from well baby on up. Just schedule for a wellness checkup, and that way you can get your history documented and build a relationship with a good doctor, as well:) Before I commit to a family dr. I would ask some questions like, is the Dr. supportive of WLS? Let the dr. know that you're intent is to have WLS and that's what you're working towards. Your ob/gyne can also write a LMN. Mine did and included dysmennoreah and mennagorreah and a consistent weight gain over the past 12 years. Hope this helps! Good luck on your journey!
   — kathy B.

June 27, 2003
I would definitely get a local PCP. Even if your insurance doesn't require it, you need to have someone who is familiar with your case for the times you need a doc's help. You also will need a general checkup before surgery to make sure that you are healthy overall, prior to surgery.
   — bethybb

June 27, 2003
you might also call your surgeon's office and ask them if they know of a pcp with that takes your insurance that they deal with often. This way you will have a doctor that is familiar with what you want to have done and who is also supportive of the surgery. This is what I did, and I couldn't be happier with my doctor! :)
   — Tammy O.

June 27, 2003
I noticed in your profile that your insurance is a PPO. Speaking from my own personal experience, I did not need a referal or any info from my PCP to get approved. I know every insurance company is different. My doctor at BTC requires you to have a PCP before they schedule you for surgery. Any labs they order post-op are done with your PCP and not them. I think it would be wise to get established with a PCP now. That way once you have your consultation you will not be stuck at the last minute trying to find a WLS friendly PCP. It is not fun. I am speaking from experience. One PCP I called couldn't get me in until July, and I called in May! Best of luck!
   — Maria S

June 28, 2003
I had just moved to this state when I was trying to get my sugery ball rolling...I didn't have PCP here...and the one I had in the other state I had only seen once in about 7 years...for an ear infection. So when I got here, I just opened my phone book and called around. Found a guy on my insurance and gave him a shot. I went in to have a shot for school and chatted with him a bit about my weight, kinda of feeling him out. Then decided he'd do as my PCP so I just made an appointment with him to discuss weight loss surgery. There is no rule that says you need to have PCP for a certain amount of time before having surgery...no rule that says you can't change PCP like you change your clothes. Generally, a PCP does some prilimary tests before seeing a surgeon, to rule out any dieases that may be causign the weight issues and that saves the surgeon time and you as well. So just call your insurance company for a list of PCP in your area then call them up, ask them if they are WLS friendly or not. If they aren't, just hang up.
   — Renee B.