Question:
Has anyone been placed on psycological hold? Does this effect the insurance approval?
Has anyone ever been placed on a psychological hold? I went to my required psych evaluation on January 12th. While I was there the psychologist told me he was going to place me on hold. He is recommending that I began therapy for at least four weeks then he will consider releasing me if I continue the therapy. Is this normal? He was basing this on my dysfunctional childhood and because I have made some poor choices in relationships. I’m not suicidal never have and never will be nor am I bulimic or anorexic. Yes, I do take anti-depressants and do suffer from depression. My insurance co. was waiting on this report to approve my surgery. After this, will they deny me? Please give me some advise. Thanks…Patty — chasenryann (posted on January 13, 2001)
January 13, 2001
I would ask for a second opinion. I too suffered a horendous childhood,
and had one bad relationship after another. I am not on any meds..but, I
still think you should ask again. The fact that you are on antdepressants
shouldn't matter. Half of the world is. Good luck
— [Anonymous]
January 13, 2001
A couple things you might want to try: First, contact your
insurance company to see what their guidelines might be.
Second, speak with your surgeon and see what they think and
would they be willing to intercede for you. It's my under-
standing that the physic evaluation is to be used as a tool
to help you understand the changes that you and your body
will be going through. Most of us are at this point because
life hasn't been a bowl of cherries. Finally, third dump this
Dr. and find a physic Dr. who has more experience dealing
with overweight issues and this type of surgery.
— [Anonymous]
January 13, 2001
It sounds like you are experiencing my biggest fear from the psychiatric
evaluation. Luckily I already had my own psychiatrist who was treating me.
I contacted her and asked her to write a letter for me for the surgeon.
She was familiar with my past and the reasons for wanting and needing the
surgery. She wrote the letter and the surgeon approved of in it place of
the psychiatric evaluation. I was so afraid if I saw someone that did not
know me would not understand and would get hung up on my past instead of
looking at my present and towards the future. I hope things work out well
for you.
— colers
January 13, 2001
I've been seeing this more and more lately. I'm wondering if this isn't a
handy little income producing tool for some unscrupulous persons. I mean,
how would they know you are "cured" in 4 weeks? Might they then
require 6 more months? It's sort of an emotional blackmail. I think there
are some sound suggestions here from the others, as far as checking to see
if your ins is going to hold your surgery based on a perhaps very biased
eval.
— vitalady
January 13, 2001
Hi Patty: You certainly have a right to a second opinion. As a
professional mental health provider, I think the psychologist is probably
more concerned with his/her own liability in varifying your competence to
elect this surgery rather than trying to make money by exploiting you in
therapy. I am not a psychologist - I am a social worker. It may be that
this particular person has biases about WLS. Perhaps this is an
opportunity for you to educate another provider? As for the dysfunction,
most people I know are or have been "dysfunctional" at some point
in their lives. I really don't like the word "dysfunctional" as
in my experience all behavior IS purposeful. With a history of poor choices
(and who hasn't made them) I am thinking this person wants to be assured
you are competent to make THIS choice and not have it turn out to be a
mistake. What this provider does not realize perhaps is the emotional toll
that obesity plays or how metabolism can get really screwed up by dieting.
The fact is all of us have had bad things happen to us - SO WHAT? So what
do we do about it now? The bottom line is "I'm OK, You're OK".
Hope this helps somewhat.
— jeff P.
January 13, 2001
I would like to give thanks to everyone that has sent words of
encouragement and has kept me in there prayers.
— chasenryann
June 27, 2001
i'm currently on a psych hold due to the fact that i didn't eat enough well
i'm doing good in therpy and my doc said in about another month i will be
ready to continue to gain approval for the surgery. i think going to
therpy will help you i know i't helping me according to the dr's nurse
since its recomended and you go it shows the insurance that you will do
what is required for your surgery to be a sucess. it can only help you.
— lawanda101
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