anyone have trouble getting a referal

jezebel · December 22, 2008

i have to go to the doctor on base ...so i am affraid they will be cheap and not want to refer me... well i hate to use the word cheap... i guess what i mean.. is they might not refer me because they will feel that maybe i dont need it as bad as someone else...

anyone have to fight for a referal???:smile:

Luckyladeebugg · December 23, 2008

I'm military and altough I see an off-post doctor I had no problems with Tricare. A friend of mine saw her doctor on post and they had no problems referring either. Remember this, your doctor isn't the one that gets to make the decision about whether or not you need surgery, the bariatric surgeon does. Tell your doctor you want to see a bariatric surgeon, they should be fine and then when you see the surgeon you can worry about whether or not they think you should have the surgery. I will tell you this, tricare approved me and I only had a 37 BMI with high blood pressure. If you meet the requirements (BMI: 35-39 w/ co-morbidities or 40 or higher) you should be approved, tricare is actually pretty easy to get approval for. Hope this makes you feel better.

Remember, go to your doctor, tell them you want a referral and don't take no for an answer. You'll find that it is surprisingly simple. I felt the same way you did.:smile:

jezebel · December 23, 2008

u are the shit lucky lady.... i feel so much better... i am going to make an appointment.. what should i make the appointment for??? physical.. or referal???thanks for your help:thumbup:

Luckyladeebugg · December 23, 2008

Make the appt for a referral and when you get there tell the doctor that you want a referral to a bariatric surgeon because you are interested in the lap band. If the doctor gives you shit just tell him that you want to talk to someone about it and that it is your decision (he probably won't give you shit though).

Good luck and I'm glad you feel better. You should know this though, it was less than 2 months from the time I met for my referral and my surgery last Monday, I'm not saying that is the norm (it depends on how busy your doctor is) but be prepared for it to go very quickly. The quickness of it all is what shocked me the most.

Keep me updated and let me know how you are doing.

delta27 · December 27, 2008

I had no problem getting a referral done. I see a dr. off post and I have been having problems with infertility, blood pressure, diabetes, back problems, etc. So when I asked my dr. about it. She did the request and I got the referral in about a week. I went to the seminar so now i am just waiting to see the doctor.