Ocean M.

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Because I'm completely anal-retentive, I called GPA (my medical group) this morning to find out what the status of my authorization request was.  I was so frustrated to find out that the medical group has requested "a lot" of new information from my PCP.

I called Dr Rivera's office (my PCP) and talked to Laura, and she said they haven't received any new requests, but that they have sent them everything that they have on me.  I explained to her that they may need my previous information from before I started seeing Dr Rivera.  She got very upset with me and said that she would deal with the request when she got it and not before then.  I tried to tell her that I was trying to be helpful and that this was important to me, but she wasn't listening.

I feel so frustrated right now.  I'm just going to put together as much paperwork and documentation that I can and bring it to my PCP's office.  I hope that they will understand and be a little bit more sympathetic with my constant phone calls, and why this is so important to me.

I've spent the last 6+ weeks fighting a sinus infection that then became bronchitis, and now walking pneumonia. Between college classes, doctor's appointments and meetings required for my housing program, I feel like I've hardly had time to breathe. During all of this I've been diligent about following up and being proactive about getting the WLS process moving in the right direction. My PCP has been amazing through everything! He's been such a wonderful advocate for me with my medical group and has been amazingly concerned with my quality of care, getting me the authroizations to see the hematologist, rheumotologist, the plastic surgeon for my HS, and he makes sure that I'm getting the medication that's best for me, rather than what Medi-Cal is willing to pay for.. even giving me enough samples to get me through a whole month so I don't have to pay out of pocket. I feel so blessed to have him as my Primary Care Physician! Every time Glendale Physicians Alliance (GPA - my medical group) asks for more information or needs justification, he's making sure that it's being taken care of. I'm also so happy that Dr. Rivera did some research about the WLS and who would be best for me and found Dr Peter Crookes at USC Medical Center. What I've heard about him is amazing, he seems perfect, and now it's just about getting the okay from GPA. I've been harassing poor Todd at GPA pretty much everyday, and he's been very good natured and helpful. First the request was sent to the director of the medical group and after s/he had it for a week it was sent to the nurse case manager. She's had it for two weeks now and I've been going a bit nutty waiting for some kind of response. Yesterday afternoon I received a call from Dr Rivera's office saying they needed to get Dr Cookes' office information because GPA didn't have him in their system which is why they have had the auth request pending for so long. So OF COURSE I gave them the info. When I got of the phone I felt like my heart was going to pop right out of my chest I was so excited. I feel like this could really be happening, and sooner rather than later. Is it possible that I could really have the surgery by Summer?? I'm so desperate to have this become a reality, to start my life again and make things work. Now I feel like I have to get my Advanced Directive and my Living Will finished. I'm crossing my fingers (and toes) that the auth request will come back this week and it will say "Approved".