Question:
What does this mean?

I have a 5-28 appt for pre-op testing. I called to get referral from pcp for nutritionist and told I need to have pre-cert numbers before they can give referral. How will I have pre-certs if my surgeon hasn't sent anything out yet? And doesn't until 3wks prior to surgery. Im scheduled for 6-18.    — diane M. (posted on May 13, 2002)

May 13, 2002
Yes, you need to have your pre-cert from your insurance before your pre-op testing. All the info was sent in from my surgeon and after I was approved for surgery by insurance, then I could go to pre-op testing. However, you mention nutritionist. Nutritionist and psych evaluation was not considered a part of "pre-op testing", it was considered a part of evaluating you on being a WLS candidate. After you are approved by surgeon as being a canidate, then paper work gets sent to insurance for approval, and once approved, then pre-op testing starts. I'm sure there are people who have done all this differently, but this was my experience.
   — Tina P.