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Question: My wife was told to have a hysterectomy, but we are resisting that proposal until we get at least a 2nd maybe 3rd opinion. The problem is that we are having hard time getting someone to take my wife as a patient without a referral. My wife knows of a doctor that she would like to see, but her primary OB/GYN has refused to to make a referral on her behalf. This has upset both of us. We will be in the Virginia Hampton Roads area. Can you assist us in getting someone to give a second opinion on this hysterectomy recommendation? Background: Her primary OB/GYN told her there were too many fibroids to save her uterus, but we have been researching through the Internet and others that have had fibroid problems and everyone is telling us that the doctor was too quick to make that decision. - Concerned Husband Answer: The Virginia Bureau of Insurance regulates licensed insurance companies and licensed life and health insurance agents that transact the business of insurance on Virginia. If you are covered under a managed care plan issued in Virginia, the questions raised regarding the quality of health care would best be handled by the Virginia Department of Health. Legislation enacted by the Virginia General Assembly provides that complaints of this type be handled by the Department of Health. You may contact this agency at the following address: Office of Licensure and Certification If you are uncertain of the plan type, you may file an inquiry
with our office and we will contact the insurance company on your behalf.
The insurance company may be able to contact this provider and discuss
this issue directly with the provider. VIRGINIA The Virginia Department of Insurance can help Virginia residents with health insurance questions. Virginia residents can contact the Virginia Department of Insurance at P.O. Box 1157, Richmond, Virginia, 23218, (Virginia Only) 1-800-552-7945, web site http://www.state.va.us/scc/division/boi/index.htm. Unlike some states, Virginia does not have a state sponsored high risk pool available for people as an insurer of last resort. If an individual applies for coverage and is denied, or if the coverage is issued with restrictions for a pre-existing condition then the individual can appeal the decision. There is an office that can assist women with the appeal process, and the Consumer Services Section, which is also here in the Virginia Bureau of Insurance, can assist them also.
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