Post by songbird177 on Dec 20, 2011 13:49:55 GMT -5
I posted something similar on OH but thought I'd post it here too.
I see my pcp on thurs to discuss a new referral for bariatric surgeon, specifically dr. crookes in los angeles with usc. I had previously seen someone locally but he wasn't for me and doesn't do the DS. Also, I should mention, with my insurance (medi-cal(medicaid)/anthem) Dr. Crookes is the only DS surgeon in the state of CA that will take my insurance and since financing isn't an option for me, it is my last and only option to get the DS at this time. My pcp and specifically the office can be difficult to deal with at times. In fact, I am still waiting on bloodwork and an EGD that was written up in October..but I plan to switch as soon as I have the surgery to someone who can work with me better, if possible. I say if possible as I have gone through all of the doctors available to me and they too have been hard to deal with like this. This is the only doctor willing to refer me to bariatric surgery. Also, my insurance tells me that I have to stay with the same pcp or the referral won't be valid and I will have to start the 6 month diet over again and any referrals. So I figure I just have to deal with them.
My plan is to print info out on the internet on the DS, go in there to the Drs office and get the Dr to write up a new referral and then talk to the office alone. I also plan to pay for a copy of my medical records as the office also never sent them to the last dr. Before, it took them 6 or 7 months just to do the last referral, not because of a dr supervised diet. I had come in there with a copy of a years dr supervised diet, which I was told would work, but she wanted her own one. I am anticipating that the office is going to be trouble again so I want to do things myself if possible, which is the reason for requesting the records. I also plan on calling every day/every other day and if they hang up on me, or take too long, show up. I also am expecting the insurance to deny the consultation the first time around, since they did this last time.
Anyone have any other ideas for dealing with the office? Should I write a letter for my dr to sign for the insurance company stating how the DS is the better option for me and the only dr willing to take me is 8 hours away in Los Angeles? Or is that better to save that for the actual surgery approval?
Thanks!
I see my pcp on thurs to discuss a new referral for bariatric surgeon, specifically dr. crookes in los angeles with usc. I had previously seen someone locally but he wasn't for me and doesn't do the DS. Also, I should mention, with my insurance (medi-cal(medicaid)/anthem) Dr. Crookes is the only DS surgeon in the state of CA that will take my insurance and since financing isn't an option for me, it is my last and only option to get the DS at this time. My pcp and specifically the office can be difficult to deal with at times. In fact, I am still waiting on bloodwork and an EGD that was written up in October..but I plan to switch as soon as I have the surgery to someone who can work with me better, if possible. I say if possible as I have gone through all of the doctors available to me and they too have been hard to deal with like this. This is the only doctor willing to refer me to bariatric surgery. Also, my insurance tells me that I have to stay with the same pcp or the referral won't be valid and I will have to start the 6 month diet over again and any referrals. So I figure I just have to deal with them.
My plan is to print info out on the internet on the DS, go in there to the Drs office and get the Dr to write up a new referral and then talk to the office alone. I also plan to pay for a copy of my medical records as the office also never sent them to the last dr. Before, it took them 6 or 7 months just to do the last referral, not because of a dr supervised diet. I had come in there with a copy of a years dr supervised diet, which I was told would work, but she wanted her own one. I am anticipating that the office is going to be trouble again so I want to do things myself if possible, which is the reason for requesting the records. I also plan on calling every day/every other day and if they hang up on me, or take too long, show up. I also am expecting the insurance to deny the consultation the first time around, since they did this last time.
Anyone have any other ideas for dealing with the office? Should I write a letter for my dr to sign for the insurance company stating how the DS is the better option for me and the only dr willing to take me is 8 hours away in Los Angeles? Or is that better to save that for the actual surgery approval?
Thanks!
