Hi everyone,

As part of my pre-op assessments, I was provided with a Medicare form for my GP to fill out for an Enhanced Prmary Care Plan referral for the dietician and psychologist's consultations (total of 5 consultations only). I was told this was so that these consultations would be covered by Medicare, rather than have to pay for them via health insurance. Well he didn't. He had his secretary call and said he doesn't do this or believe that an EPCP is necessary as part of the LapBand process. Guess he figures I should wear the extra out of pocket costs myself. Maybe he just doesn't think that having a BMI of 51.5 is a chronic condition. Go figure.:phanvan

Has anyone else had their GP refuse to do provide an EPCP referral if asked? Are there any other ways around it? I thought maybe I'd go and see different GP and ask them. Any ideas?

I also went to went the specialist physician today (what a lovely doc!) - apparently I have a slight heart murmur, which now needs an echocardiogram to invesigate. :rolleyes Apparently I would have had this since I was a kid. Nobody ever picked it up before. Go figure again.

Looking forward to hearing responses about the EPCP. I'll be in touch with the surgeon's office tomorrow and see what they suggest.

OK LETS MAKE IT THE 16TH. Can everyone interested say so again and lets make it Costello's ???? Is 12.30 ok. Also would you please make sure that I can email availability is on through this forum so we can discuss this off line

I'll be away then, but such is life, we can always do another one at another time too.

16th is OK for me. It will be my last weekend before Optifast stage starts. (hooray!)

I think my mail option is on now.

being very computer illiterate i have no idea if my mail option is on but will keep my eyes out for any postings here.

I'll wait till Monday night and then will contact everyone, otherwise will just go in circles...roflmfao

Hey gang,

spaldo2 (Andy Spalding) - the "as seen on Today Tonight" guy lives in the SE too. I've asked him to check out this thread and to join in the gathering if interested. He's lookiing for bandit support for the Melb Marathon team.

Wheeler - great work - can you list the final date time and venue as a new thread, for other SE bandits who haven't read this thread??

CHEERS!

I'll start a new thread named :S.E. Suburbs-Melbourne get together" in case others have missed this one

See you there

My doctor refused to do the EPCP referral as well. I am in Berwick. I went in to talk to him about it a few times. I was annoyed at first as my BMI was/is over 50 as well. During the process the lapband team told me the rules had changed and the GP could simply use obesity for the reason. I went back to my GP and told him, he said to leave it with him. He contacted the governing body, cant remember who that is now, and obtained all the criteria. (which he printed a copy for me) Obesity was still not a value reason, I needed diabetes, etc. I had had some knee problems but there wasnt enough details in my history so no go for me and I gave up. (Plus given the $4k out of pocket, this didnt amount to much)

After speaking with the GP 3 times and seeing the forms, etc. I do think he was trying to help. He certainly wasted a lot of time chasing people. As he explained, as obesitywas not in the list he & I would be reviewed by the board if he submitted the papers with that alone. So, knowing what I know now, if you were going to do this with a new GP, you would have to mention those knee/back/joint problems and have it on file before the EPCP referral came up.

Hope this helps.

Lisa

Casey medical Center Cranbourne

Dr Mogilevski

Although he is my regular doctor and he knows of my personal struggles.