Question:
Has anyone had a pcp in the Riverside County, CA area that is supportive of WLS?

Especially the inland valley, or Temecula. Names, addresses any info would be great. I'm afraid that my pcp will not refer me after my meds are working right. I might need to get another pcp. I have Blue Cross ppo. Should I just ask the surgeon? Will my pcp release my labs, etc.? Thanks, Michelle    — Michelle M. (posted on February 3, 2002)

February 3, 2002
Hi Michelle: I am in Riverside and I can tell you who to STAY AWAY FROM...I had a personal nightmare experience with PrimeCare Corona and they have a Temecula office also...My PCP there was very supportive of me, but getting an approval from the group was a whole other ordeal. I don't know what insurance you have, but I had Pacific Care HMO and I had to go through them for my referral and everything. I finally got my surgery approval after being denied 2 times and had met all of the surgery criteria that PrimeCare set forth. They were working on my 3d denial when I went to their office and basically told them they had no reason legally to deny me any longer. After letting them know that I would be contacting any type of media that would take my phone calls or e mail, by some miracle, I was approved 1 hour later. The squeaky wheel does get the oil. My surgeon was Dr. Terry Sanderfer in Corona, and I can't say enough nice stuff about him and his staff. He is a fabulous dr. So very kind and caring. If 1 patient needs him all day, the rest of us wait or reschedule. If I was that 1 patient, I would be endebted to him forever for caring as much as he does. I am 5 1/2 mos post op and down 107#... If you have any questions, feel free to e mail me at [email protected] Good Luck
   — Joi G.

February 3, 2002
Michelle, I can't help with the PCP, but I can tell you that your current PCP must release your records. You may have to pay to get them, but they can't deny you getting copies. They are YOUR records. Your new PCP can also ask for them as long as you sign a release for your current PCP to do so.
   — garw

February 3, 2002
Michelle: You don't need a referral since you have a PPO. Find a doctor within your network (you can even do it online at www.bluecrossca.com) and make an appt. for a consultation. If your PCP is being an ass and not wanting to release your test results you may just have to retake them at the hospital. I don't have a PCP through my Blue Cross PPO. I do have one through my Kaiser, but I didn't use Kaiser at all for this process. Like I said, since you have a PPO, just go out and find a doctor in the network. Good luck!
   — tmrivas