Hi everyone this is my first post. I'm so frustrated my last thing I need a letter of support from my therapist and no one will write me one the lady I'm seeing now said she can't and I've called my old therapist and he said they are not allowed to. My PCP gave me a referral to a psychiatrist and they said they won't do it.

Did you ask the lady you are seeing now why she can't? Was it because she hadn't been seeing you very long or some other reason?

Check with your specific insurance requirements as to EXACTLY what kind of psych evaluation they require you have.

As an example, my evaluation has to be done by a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, OR a social worker. They will NOT accept a licensed family therapist, however. Its kinda weird and insurance varies so much.

If nothing else, keep trying different psychiatrists. When you call, explain that you have nearly completed the process for bariatric surgery approval with a surgical team that has determined you are a good candidate for this treatment . Then tell him/her that, as a part of the normal process, you need a SIMPLE evaluation with respect to your emotional suitability for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity. Explain that this evaluation will then be passed on to the insurance company, as per their requirements.

Your surgical team SHOULD have a letter for you to take with or send ahead that explains the reasons for the evaluation and what the evaluation should address specifically. Ask them for one, or at least guidelines of what the evaluation needs to cover.

Good luck! You can do this!

My surgeons office had a specific list of approved psychologists we had to choose from

2 hours ago, stacy4874 said:

Hi everyone this is my first post. I'm so frustrated my last thing I need a letter of support from my therapist and no one will write me one the lady I'm seeing now said she can't and I've called my old therapist and he said they are not allowed to. My PCP gave me a referral to a psychiatrist and they said they won't do it.

Did they give you the reason(s) ?

Ask your surgeons office for a referral to a therapist they use. (They all have a preferred therapist)

The surgeon I’m going with actually has a therapist on there team. So my initial appt I will meet with/complete psych evaluation, Rd nutritionist form and the PA

21 hours ago, gnorton1980 said:

The surgeon I’m going with actually has a therapist on there team. So my initial appt I will meet with/complete psych evaluation, Rd nutritionist form and the PA

Just a word of caution here for everyone- I too used the "in house" psych personnel that my doctor routinely uses that is part of the hospital because I thought it would be most likely to be accepted by my insurance and they would know how to do the paperwork needed etc. However, my particular insurance would NOT accept it as it was done by a licensed family therapist and my insurance requires a licensed social worker, psychologist or psychiatrist.

So now I am going to do ANOTHER eval. with a LISW. UGH!

Just be sure to check your particular insurance requirements before you go to anyone. Might save you some time, stress and money!

Edited March 31, 20197 yr by FluffySaysForkIt!

My surgeons office referred me to someone they use for this purpose. Check with your surgeons office and see if they have someone they recommend.