Question:
Kaiser is changing the way that they handle requests and approvals?

I went to a Northern California Weight Loss Support Group (www.dsp.net/karenmj/ncwlssg.html for more info on this group)meeting on the 19th and was told by another Kaiser member that Kaiser is in the process of changing the way that they handle requests an approvals for surgery. Does anyone know anything about this?! I can't find any information and am still waiting for my doctor to call me back.    — Kristie B. (posted on June 27, 1999)

June 26, 1999
I am going to kaiser vallejo and my doctor is in the process of getting me approved for the WLS. I have to meet these requirments 100+ overweight, have to see the dietician and psych. I am now waiting to see the dietician and I am on a waiting list they are short handed. I got the brocher from the doctors office and they are now becoming a little more open about it at least my doctor is. In fact he said if it were him he would have the wls. Find a good PCP at Kaiser and go for it. I am just waiting it out. I'll keep you posted. Good Luck
   — Richard J.

July 17, 1999
I am a Kaiser patient in Fremont and on June 17 th I was told by my pcp that they have started a new policy which was to include a 10 week kaiser dietain weight loss program and a Phy program as well and that it could take about 10 months to get approval. I checked with the patients asst. at kaiser and she checked up on it and she called me back and said the same thing. I was so frustrated because my doctor had just sent a lady through in 5 months and he too was frustrated. I then contacted Pacific Bariatrics who is the group of surgeons that I am trying to go through and asked them what they had heard from Kaiser and they said they really hadn't heard about any changes and that they had a contract with Kaiser to have anyone with a BMI over 40 be approved so they said they would investigate it. Well I just spoke with them on July 16 and was told that the person in Kaiser who made the changes did not have autorization to make these changes and he has since resigned and that a E-mail was suppose to go out to all Kaiser PCP that they are to proceed the old way. So I am not quite sure where we are headed but I did place a phone call to my PCP and On Monday I will call the admin. offices of Kaiser to see whats up. I hope this helps. I will keep you all updated. Laurie [email protected]
   — Laurie C.