Question:
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Hi my name is Marc Ross I am having a hard time getting this right can some one help I want this wls and i had my consultation with the surgeon who then told me to make an appoinment with my pcp and tell him what i want to do when i called i explained to the lady what i wanted she said oh you want a pre op exam and i said uh i guess and she scheduled me an appointment which i went to they took 4 gallons of blood ekg and other tests and i talked to the dr. he said that this is a great procedure and it will change my life for the better and he would get it faxed to the surgeon when i called to follow up nobody knows whats going on or what is it that i want??? i told the nurse i need a referal and whatever else I DON"T WANT TO BLOW THIS i stopped smoking 10 days ago and i'm starting to freak out please help if you know what i need thanks and GOD BLESS    — Marc R. (posted on January 17, 2003)

January 17, 2003
Hi there Marc, with my surgeon, he wanted something like this: a letter of support from your pcp, saying that this surgery would be good for you and reasons why. copies of the bloodwork and ekg. My surgeon's office took this and put it together with there info and sent all this paperwork to the insurance company for approval. Of course mine didn't turn out that way, because there was an exclusion. So maybe you need to tell them that you need a copy of your recent bloodwork and ekg along with a support letter, and you take them to your surgeon's office and give those items to them.
   — Monette L.

January 17, 2003
Hi Marc, first of all, CONGRATULATIONS on stopping smoking. That is one of the best things that you could have done for yourself in preparation for this surgery. Each insurance company is different, but I am fairly sure that you will need to get a referral from your PCP, and also most insurance companies that require you to get a referral will also require you to have a letter of medical neccessity or at least a letter of support from your PCP. It sounds like you are on the right track, you have already gotten pre-op testing done!!! Please e-mail me if I can help, or if you'd like someone to talk to about all of this. The waiting is the hardest part.
   — Leslie M.

January 17, 2003
Hi there...well, I am at about the same point you are, I just have to get my Psyc eval done, nutritionist consult and then surgeon consult. More than likely you can call the insurance, and ask them exactly what they need and which goes in order. That is what I did because I was completely out of order. I tried to get my medical records so I could fax them myself to the surgeon but they told me that it was against the law. But I got a letter of support from my PCP, blood work, girl physical :( sorry) EKG, and prior medical diet history which my PCP needs to fax to my surgeon's office. Then I will have my Psyc eval, and nutritionist consults done and they will fax it to the surgeons office. From what I understand the surgeon's office will fax everything to the insurance company. I hope that helps a little. And remember, just relax, and pray, everything will be ok. God Bless :) Chin up
   — Alisia P.