Question:
My PCP wont take time to write a letter of support. Will this affect my chances?
My PCP acted supportive in the beginning. Now that I have asked him to write a letter of support to submit to my insurance along with my other documents, he refuses. I think his exact words were "if this is gonna require me to write a novel, then I dnot have time for it". How dissapointing!! He is willing to work with me and get me healthy ONLY if it is not too much paperwork for him. Do you think it will hurt my chances at gaining approval?? — skymaxjr (posted on June 28, 2001)
June 28, 2001
It could have an affect, depending on how your policys is wrtiin. His
denial to write a letter for you seems odd, given the fact that he was all
for it before you requested a letter. Writing ONE letter for a patient does
not require A LOT of time. I personally would not stay with a doctor that
does not support me in my decisions about MY body, and if he is too busy to
write a letter, than he is too busy to truly understand my physical, mental
and pshycological needs regarding WLS. This is just my opinion, and I have
stated it before that if my doctor was not going to support me, neither
would I continue to FINANCIALLY support him.
Are you able to swithc PCP's? I know this can be difficult, but you may
find a much more caring physician if you do.
What ever you decide to do, I wish the best of luck.
Helen
— Helen C.
June 28, 2001
They don't actually "write" the letter anyway. They record what
they want to say and someone types it. Takes really very minimal time. If
he doesn't have time for you i would find a new physician.
— paula B.
June 28, 2001
If your insurance carrier requires a referral from your PCP it will. If
you know the wls surgeon you want to use, call their office and ask for the
names of wls-friendly PCPs who will write you a referral letter.
— [Deactivated Member]
June 28, 2001
Do it the easy way. I personally typed the letter on microsoft word, and
then brought the letter and myself to a appointment and asked the pcp to
sign right now. Mine not only signed, but was so gratefull that I took the
time to prepare the letter, he made his secretary immediately fax it off to
Aetna. There are many samples of this letter. If you need a copy, let me
know and I can email you my letter.
— MICHAEL Z.
June 28, 2001
Write the letter yourself then fax it to your doc and have him sign it
& fax it back. I've done this for years and the doctors are very
grateful. It doesn't have to be a novel.. A couple paragraphs are more
than adequate. Good luck to you!
— [Deactivated Member]
June 28, 2001
Your insurance company will require the doctor's letter -- no question. Try
writing one yourself and having him sign it. It he refuses, it's time to
find a new doctor. My PCP wrote the letter without even telling me! He's
been very supportive and wouldn't trade him for the world!
— Rosie P.
June 28, 2001
Check out my page.. on there my PCP wrote a letter.. I know he didn't
really want to either and he simply wrote one paragraph.. basically saying
he supported me. It is better than nothing.
— Dawn R.
June 28, 2001
I really think that it depends on your insurance company. The only thing
that I needed from my PCP was a referral. That was simply a phone call from
the office staff to the insurance company letting them know to whom they
were referring me and why. They were then given an authorization number
allowing my visit to the surgeon. The surgeon's office took it from there.
My PCP never had to write a letter. I was approved in 2 days. Very easy.
Shelley
— Shelley.
June 28, 2001
I, also, only needed to get a referal to a surgeon for a consultation from
my PCP. My PCP did not have to write a letter. Once I got the referal to
the surgeon, the surgeon's office ordered the appropriate tests, gave me
forms to fill out (health history, diet history [no proof of doctor
supervised diets required], etc.). The surgeon then submitted the request
to the insurance. Approval came in about three weeks. During a support
group meeting last week, one of the surgeon's office staff mentioned that
the most difficult part people face is getting a referal to come see the
surgeon. She stressed that people need to remember that the are only
asking for a referal for a consult, not approval for surgery from their
PCP. Once patients get to the surgeon's office and paperwork is submitted
to the insurance company, they virtually have no denials. This is because,
I think, they are experts at submitting exactly what the insurance company
needs.
— Gina E.
June 28, 2001
My surgeon said that a letter of approval is required from your PCP or the
insurance company will deny your request. I'm sure this can vary from
patient to pattient depending on their needs and also the insurance company
you're dealing with.
Did you consider switching to another PCP??? I ran into the same problem.
Had a doctor that seemed like he'd give me the OK, only to flat out refuse
to write me a letter of recommendation. I went to Find Peers and polled
people aroud in my area to see if they knew of a "sympathetic"
doctor who supported WLS. I got a lot of positive feedback and also some
names of doctors in my area who would be willing to help me. Good luck
Lori!
— Cristy K.
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