Question:
My PCP wants me to create the letter of medical necessity.
He said if I did this, then he might sign it. I have diet history from January 1988 through December 2002. The last two years of this physician supervised, and quite a few risk factors. I have had every consult know to man. What else do I have to do to get a referral? I live in Carmi, Illinois, anyone know of a caring PCP that doesn't make you beg? — Terri R. (posted on December 14, 2002)
December 14, 2002
There is a great on one this site. You can just cut and paste the parts you
need. I didn't need my PCP to write a letter my surgeon did that. My pcp
just referred me to the surgeon I chose. He really isn't too knowledgable
about the surgery and bowed to my overwhelming knowledge when I talked to
him about the referral. Anyway here is the link to the letter
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/m-ins-lettermn.phtml GOOD LUCK!!!
— dkinson
December 14, 2002
Terri, as the previous poster mentioned there is a great example on this
site, but feel freel to use the one on my profile. Hope this helps!!
— yourdivaness
December 14, 2002
I would get my medical records and run as fast as I could away from this
bigoted medical "professional", and I use the term very very
loosly. Telling you write the letter and then he MIGHT sign it. The
insurance company is going to want specifics related detailed medical
things/terms that the average lay person can easily screw up. It is a
totally different story if they ask you to write your own letter indicating
why you want this and how it will affect your life etc. My surgeon asked
for a statement like this that they will include in their approval request.
In my case I wrote about 2 pages so I don't know if he will edit or send
au natural. This letter should definitely be different than what your PCP
should provide. Tell your doctor if it takes too much time for him to do
it for free to please feel free to charge your insurance company for his
time. Yes I am being sarcastic but this guys a JERK! Ask him if would
prefer to keep dealing with medical conditions related to a morbidly obese
person or treat someone who has been able to resolve a lot of their medical
problems and will likely be less of a burden to him.
As far as I am concerned if you can get the letter you need from him, take
it to the surgeon and then head right to a new PCP. You do not deserve to
be treated that way. Who knows what lack of medical care you are getting
because this person thinks MO people are lazy and just have no will power.
JMO. Chris
— zoedogcbr
December 14, 2002
You are welcome to use mine as well. Just click on my name,
— Maria S.
December 14, 2002
It sounds like your PCP is clueless and really does need you to write the
letter of medical necessity because he doesn't know what to write.
Enlighten him!
— thumpiez
December 15, 2002
I had two PCPs, one who withdrew in protest of WLS discussions, and a
second one who is a doll, very knowledgeable and supportive. Yours
probably falls somewhere between the two. My second guided me through some
of the most significant weight related health problems in terms of what the
insurance companies STRESS as important (the major comords) to help me
identify ones that I have. Without that guidance I may have been clueless.
So I agree that you might need to find a new PCP. Talk to a bariatric
surgeon that you are interested in using and see if they can recommend a
PCP or ask on this board (that is how I found my second one).
If you decide to write your own letter, there are good examples on this
board. Make sure you highlight weight loss attempts, any prescription meds
you have taken, and any weight related health issues such as diabetes,
heart condition, arthritis, incontinence, GERD, sleep apnea, high
cholesterol, high blood pressure, pain on weight bearing joints, etc. Also
any significant family history such as heart ailments, diabetes or
hypertension due to obesity.
— susanje
December 16, 2002
Agree with previous poster~list the major co-morbs. Take a look at my
profile page and see if the LOMN can be of some help to you.
— yourdivaness
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