I contacted my surgeon and was told i need clearance from my primary care phy. And i asked them how and they told me to comtact him. I did call and they should be calling me back but hmi want to know how does one normally get clearance from the pcp?

Are you talking a referral or physical clearance? They are two different things. I saw the surgeon first and then had to get a physical from my PCP for surgery. A referral is for insurance payment.

My PCP had to document all of the health issues I was having and send a request to my insurance to get pre-certified to go to the weight-loss center. The weight-loss center then saw me for several months and continued to document for my insurer my efforts to lose weight and the need for surgery. That MD then got approval from my insurer to refer me to a surgeon who is doing the surgery this Tuesday.

Hopefully your PCP (like mine) will understand this process and be helpful in documenting and making the referral. Check your insurance and find out which surgeons are in your network.

They told me to get clearance from my pcp. I spoke with my pcp this year and just asked what he thought about me getting wls and he said its a good idea and recommended me to go to a wls center. Which i have and i am aleady half way thru. But i dont know what they mean about clearance?

It took me three years to get clearance from pcp to go to weight loss center (surgeon). I could have went on my own if I was private pay.. But not an option. Insurance finally approved after 3 denials. Going to orientation next week. I have United health care seeing Dr Krahn and Dr Chin in San Bernardino.CA. Does anyone know what the wait period is between orientation and surgery with my insurance?

For blue shield I had to go once a month for 6 months to the surgery doc office and meet with someone to satisfy the requirements for the insurance company to approve the surgery, and show no weight gain. After the 6 months and I had all the testing done they required, stress echo, endoscopy, it was only about 2-4 weeks before all was approved and scheduled a date. i am sure some are quicker and some may be longer. Good luck

Ibhealthy2, wow 3 years? My doctor seemed ok when i mentioned i wanted to have wls. Fingers crossed

Queencity yes 3 years but because I didn't qualify. I was about 10 lbs under and didn't have other factors such as diabetes high blood pressure. Plus didn't have pcp that was on my side. But was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and helped along adding 10 lbs to weight. Just going for orientation next week.. Hoping this process will be fast. 2 sisters have had successful surgery and one sister going in for surgery next week.. So I know what to expect with that part. I just wanted to know wait time with my insurance.

I went to my pcp and said "I'm going to be having the gastric sleeve surgery and I'll be needing a letter from you saying that you recommend it."

I didn't ask for his permission. I just told him what I wanted.