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Letter of Referral/Recommendation from Primary Doctor

So sorry for all of my questions and posts.

I have not had a PCP for years. I have been going to an urgent care facility for anything that comes up - sinus infections, flu, etc. My insurance (BCBS Fed) requires a letter of reference/referral from my PCP as part of my approval package. I asked today if the urgent care could write such a letter and was told no since they have never treated me for weight loss or obesity.

My bariatric counselor referred me to a PCP that takes my insurance and she said they refer a lot of people there. I have an appointment on Friday to get my blood work and EKG completed, and I have my medical records from the urgent care. Do I wait for a couple months before asking for this letter of reference? Do I mention it this week?

Any advice you have would be great - thank you!

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Mention it that day. Doctors know to expect this kind of thing. I work for a surgeon. Just be honest and let the doc know why you are there.

  • Author

Mention it that day. Doctors know to expect this kind of thing. I work for a surgeon. Just be honest and let the doc know why you are there.

Thank you!

I actually had a similar situation. I'm 23, so my last doctor was a pediatrician, and I hadn't actually seen her in years. I got a new pcp pretty much right when I had my first seminar, and we basically discussed my history and filled out the required paperwork together. What they really need is a doctor to say "yes, this patient is telling the truth, and I've signed off on it." So it was basically our second appointment ever and she just let me fill some things out and she filled out the rest. I don't know if it will work this way for you but that's my experience. :)

Do you have any print outs from those urgent care trips that show your weight? If so, it might help with the documentation. Good luck!

  • Author

I actually had a similar situation. I'm 23, so my last doctor was a pediatrician, and I hadn't actually seen her in years. I got a new pcp pretty much right when I had my first seminar, and we basically discussed my history and filled out the required paperwork together. What they really need is a doctor to say "yes, this patient is telling the truth, and I've signed off on it." So it was basically our second appointment ever and she just let me fill some things out and she filled out the rest. I don't know if it will work this way for you but that's my experience. :)

Thank you!

Do you have any print outs from those urgent care trips that show your weight? If so, it might help with the documentation. Good luck!

Do you have any print outs from those urgent care trips that show your weight? If so, it might help with the documentation. Good luck!

Yes, I have print outs that show everything from 2011 from urgent care. Including GERD, pre-hypertension, my weight, and whatever I was being seen for. :)

Thank you so much!

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