Question:
What should I do, my pcp is taking a long time to complete referral to local surgeon?
She is supportive of me obtaining more info and said that she would refer me to a local Bariatric surgeon. I call every week and they keep saying it is a long process. I know I will have to wait for a long time just to get an appointment so I don't want to keep waiting just for the referral to be complete. What can I do about this other than continue to call them?? — kmack (posted on September 9, 2005)
September 9, 2005
Your doctor is composing a letter that is written specifically about you
and you alone. She has to take all the information from your chart and give
an explaination as to what transpired at each of your appointments. Many
times a doctor will dictate this info and send it to a transcriptionist for
the letter to be typed. I know this because my internist does this and then
the doctor is dependent on how busy this service is. Sometimes it takes a
couple weeks just to get the letter back. See you just need to be a little
patient in regards to this. Also, we like to think that we are the doctor's
only patient and the only one s/he is writing letters for. I am sure that
your doctor has other coorespondence that is being written. You will get
your referral soon.
— ChristineB
September 9, 2005
Hi Kelley,
I feel the same way as you. I am also waiting on my PCP for the letter, but
my PCP is waiting for the reslts of my Sleep test, and I was told that
could take two months. I started the process end of MAY and I am still
waiting, it is nerve recking and I am so anxious I could scream all day
long lol.... advice just relax and wait.... we want to make sure u are ok
for surgery, so let your PCP take his/her time... I see it like this I have
been fat for over 20 years a couple months more is not going to make much
of a diffrence.....
— desndarr
September 10, 2005
Each Dr's proceedure is different and within that each medical group and
then insurance company require different things for surgeon referral...some
are quick, some are not...PATIENCE is hard - I know...it's my worst subject
also, but that is what you need....and FAITH. I was told originally that
it would take several weeks for my referral to come through and then I was
told that I would be required to do a 6-month nutritional course before
they would approve the referral...I wrote a letter to my PCP and to the
Medical Group & Insurance company describing my life-long battle with
obesity, my medical conditions and all my attempts at weight loss, even
though I had no proof I gave dates...I was so thrilled when 2 weeks later I
was given my referral - then my surgery was approved within 2 weeks and I
had surgery within 6 weekd of that...WOW...see it can happen, sometimes we
need to prompt the system, but patience and faith will win in the end!
GOOD LUCK in your journey....LauraG
— Laura G.
September 10, 2005
I'm not sure why you have been waiting so long. In the past, when I had an
HMO and needed a referal to a specialist, I always left my PCP appointment
with the referal in hand. She needs to refer you so you can make the
appointment, depending on your area, you may have to wait awhile to get in
to see the surgeon. If your PCP needs to compose a letter (and that is
something you need to check out, usually ins. companies want letters of
medical necessity from the doc doing the procedure, not the referring doc),
then at least you will be on the appointment list for the surgeon while you
wait for your PCP, killing time for both at once. I would think that the
surgeon can just request your medical records to help with his letter to
your ins. company. The only other option is to fire your current PCP, and
get a new one. Call some local bariatric surgeons and find out which PCPs
have been good with referals, etc., and switch. Good luck!
— Ali M
September 10, 2005
If it has been over a month, it is too long! I would call and tell them
that you will come and pick up the referral in three weeks (give them a
date) and then do it. YOu are paying them, after all!
— Novashannon
September 10, 2005
I don't know what the big deal is with your PCP giving you a referral. I
have Aetna HMO NJ and it didn't take long at all. It should only take a
few days (3-4) to give you a referral. If I were you I would go ahead make
the app't. w/bariatric surgeon to let the PCP know that your are serious,
and then let your PCP know that you have an app't. set for a certain date.
So you would be putting a little pressure on the him/her to get the
referral to you to get the "ball rolling." I hope this makes
since to you. Best of luck in your journey. Shahshah
— City Gurl
September 12, 2005
Just a thought: call to make the appt w/bariatric surgeon, and see if the
staff there will contact PCP to have to referral faxed directly to their
office.
— Chris S.
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