Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!
$99 Yearly Supply Alert! 🌈 "1 per Day!" Bariatric Multivitamins

Psychological Assessment

Nicie

By Nicie, in Gastric Plication Surgery Forum

Recommended Posts

Nicie    9

Nicie
Posted

Did anyone have to take the MMPI test to satisfy their insurance requirements for the psychological assessment? I can not get a straight answer from BCBS. They said the doctors office knows the rules and qualifications for the procedure to be approved.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Ginger Snaps    1,323

Ginger Snaps
Posted

I have Anthem BCBS... I didn't have to have that test, just a visit with a psychiatrist. I see a psych regularly and he did the evaluation. He just had a form (looked like one he has created himself) and asked me a bunch of questions, mostly about my health history and what I had tried in the past to do to lose weight. Only took about 20 minutes. Lots of people have different experiences.

I think it may depend on the doctor you see and what they feel is necessary. In my case, I've seen this doctor for 8 years, so I'd say he knows my mental health status pretty well. If it had been my first time to see him, he might have wanted to do more extensive testing.

So, it may be more at the doctor level to decide what you have to do rather than a specific insurance requirement. They want the doctor to do whatever he/she feels is necessary to clear you for the surgery.

Best wishes!

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

relief57    53

relief57
Posted

My doctor gave me referrals for the psych exam. The one I chose did the MMPI in addition to two depression scale inventories and a sit down interview. It took about two hours. My brother had lap band surgery as well it only took him 30 minutes. It should have been the other way around :D .

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

BigGirlPanties    957

BigGirlPanties
Posted

I have BCBS and I had to do that as well...no biggie...but it is time consuming...

good luck

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

ChristyAZ    87

ChristyAZ
Posted

I have BCBS as well .... annnnd I did the psych test ...... 250+ questions if I remember right ...... I had to laugh at some of them but it was simple and over fairly quick .......

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Nicie    9

Nicie
Posted

Thank you to all who responded! I really appreciate the info. I went to a group meeting tonight and was told they had to take the MMPI test too. Some thought it was silly and a waste of time but it is required by the doctor, so they complied.

I will be eligible for the operation in June but I am getting more anxious each day. Some say the bypass is better; others say the sleeve. Right now I am so confused. I've lost 15 lbs. so far and am wondering if I should just keep up what I am doing and forget about the surgery for now.

tom_thumb reacted to this

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Nicie    9

Nicie
Posted

I completed the psych exam and interview. It was truly a waste of time! All requirements are now completed. I have made a decision and I am going with the sleeve. Hopefully, by the end of June I will be scheduled for the procedure.

Share this post

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Go To Topic Listing Gastric Plication Surgery Forum

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Aunty Mamo

      Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    Bariatric Forums

    For Patients

    Health Professionals

    Search Surgeons

    Bariatric Surgeons: Want to research a weight loss surgery surgeon? Enter their last name below to start!

    ×