Question:
The surgeon is having me go for a battery of tests and get medical clearance from PCP
Now my PCP is telling me I have to go for a batch of his own tests and then go back to see him afterwards. Is this correct or is he just trying to make money??? — NJChick (posted on October 1, 2003)
October 1, 2003
My surgeon required that my PCP do a ton of pliminary tests before being
sent over to see him. There were blood tests, ultrasounds etc. My surgeon
sent a list over. Generally, surgeons need to rule out a weight problem
caused by something treatable with medication like a thyroid problem or
something like that. Once the PCP rules out all those issues and takes a
complete diet history, you'll go to your surgeon who will request another
round of tests, possible repeating the other ones if they are older than a
month or two. Its annoying. Its expensive. It all is to protect you're
health. You want the doctors to have a long list of tests to show the
insurance company. And once you are approved...you get to go for more
tests...pre-op testing...I think, the only testing all of us actually look
forward too. Good Luck~~Renee B. Surgery 11.11.03
— Renee B.
October 1, 2003
It may or may not be a waste of money. As long as you have insurance to
cover then let them do what they feel is needed. Better safe than sorry.
I only had the pre-op testing that the surgeon required, which was pretty
extensive in itself. Although my internist insisted that I have a
Cardiolite stress test when I showed up in his office saying that I felt
like an elephant was sitting on it. I later was diagnosed with asthma, so
most likely this was stress indiced asthma as I was really stressed out
about getting my approval. I knew my heart was likely fine but my
internist just felt he had to be sure, even though he wasn't having to sign
off on the surgery as I had to be followed by a local internist when in the
hospital.
— zoedogcbr
October 1, 2003
If they are asking your PCP to give you a "medical clearance" for
surgery, then it is totally appropriate for the PCP to request more tests
to be done. The PCP is putting in writing that he feels you are healthy
enough for the surgery and he really can't do that without current lab
work, EKG, etc. When I had to have extra tests run, at first it was
frustrrating but then I realized it was being done for my benefit too.
This way there was no doubt my body was OK to go thru the surgery.
— [Deactivated Member]
October 1, 2003
Hi Debra- My surgeon is requiring that I use only certain drs, clinics,
nutritionists, psychs, etc that he approves of for pre-testing. My PCP only
needed to write a referral. Good Luck :o) Mea
— Mea A.
October 1, 2003
Your PCP is doing his job exactly right - it will be his butt if he
approves you for surgery without getting the tests done ahead of time.
Having you come after the tests are done is also standard. He needs a warm
body to examine, and he won't get paid for reading all your reports and
puting his credibility on the line by just calling you with the results -
he will do your exam and discuss your results and be able to get paid for
it which is completely fair.
— bethybb
October 1, 2003
Debra this is standard practice for good Dr's. If you have a test done,
have the results sent to both the surgeon and PCP, this way they won't
overlap and have you do the same test twice. Dr's don't make money off of
tests. Having you in to review the results is standard practice.
— M B.
Click Here to Return