Steps to get you started

annette leyba · February 6, 2007

Hello everyone,

I want the procedure done, but I still don't know what the steps are to get me started. I am already overweight, however I don't know what doc's to visit or anything. Can someone help guide me?

thank you

aleyba

TracyinKS · February 6, 2007

1. Are you insured or self pay?

2. If Insured you need to find out if your employer's contract covers surgery for obesity specifically CODE: 43770 (gastric band)

3. If self pay, find a surgeon, attend a seminar and follow their plan (all are different)

4. If insured and you ARE covered find out what is needed for authorization.... (psych eval, nutrition eval, supervised diet.. etc)

Good Luck!

For me it went like this:

Found out it WAS covered

Researched a surgeon in my insurance network

Attended a seminar

Attended a consult with the doc

rep from doctors office called my insurance to verify and get the list of requirments

Had a psyc eval

Had a nutrition eval

waited for letters to be sent to doctors office (the insurance coordinator)

She sent packet off to my insurance

They called her to verbally approve me

Letter was sent to me and hospital

I faxed letter to surgeons office

Now I'm waiting for the scheduler to call me with a date.

CCBSTX · February 6, 2007

Find a reputable doctor or two in your area. Go to obesityhelp.com and they have a surgeon finder for your city.

Once you do that give them a call and see if they have an informational seminar or free consult (many do). That way you can get more info., see if you qualify, and meet the surgeon as well.

Shawn

Alexandra · February 6, 2007

Annette, you should always start with a complete physical at your primary care doctor's office. It's crucial to get a good picture of your health before you start, and every subsequent doctor is going to want to know that you've done this. It's required by surgeons and every insurance carrier as well, and you'll probably need a letter of support by that PCP if you're asking for insurance coverage.

When you go, be sure they make a note of the diagnosis of morbid obesity in your file. The diagnosis code is 278.01, and that's the very first thing anyone down the line is going to want to see in your record. The earlier it goes in there the better.