jaria007

I'm just wondering why you are the one doing this? My surgeon's office faxed the paperwork to my insurance and when I was approved, the insurance contacted the surgeon's office directly. That is really strange. I would go see your HR benefits person. That is exactly the point where they should step in

This is my first real post on this forum, although I have been lurking for some time now. I cannot believe how fast the process has gone. On 4/18 I met with my surgeon and attended his seminar. Last week on Monday, my primary completed my letter to Highmark BCBS stating my need for Lap Band and the 6 month nutrition program I completed under his care. On Thursday, I met with the nutritionist. On Friday, I met with the psychiatrist. Today at 10a, I received a call from my surgeon's office letting me know they were faxing all the info to Highmark and that they would let me know if I was approved within 72 hours. I heard back that I was approved THREE (3) HOURS LATER!! My surgery is scheduled for May 19th! I am so excited. I still have to see the pulmonologist, get an upper GI, get a gallbladder ultrasound, a chest x ray, ekg, and do all of my blood work in the next three weeks, so it will be busy, but I am beyond myself. When something is meant to be, it is amazing how the pieces just fall into place. I usually have the worst luck and was expecting a huge headache, but really received none. :biggrin: Here I come, skinny jeans, here I come!

I was able to get everything done in a week. My tip? Ask for copies of everything yourself. Be extra nice to each doc appt. I made "friends" with the psych doc's staff. They actually typed up the letter while I waited and then I asked them to fax it while I was there and give me a copy because "you know how those offices are...always losing things". Win them over with some humor. I did the same for my PCP. I wrote the letter for him and said SIGN THIS, and fax to blah blah. I then went to the nutritionist and also waited for the report. I called the surgeon's office every day. It took 1 week total from initial consult to approval. When I spoke to the coordinator at the surgeon's office and apologized for being a pest she said "actually I APPRECIATE all the follow up. Many patients dont realize how much paperwork we deal with and expect us to do everything and it is impossible. By you taking the lead in following up and getting all of your appointments done, you have shown us your true interest in yourself and your health and that is absolutely wonderful". Don't sit around and wait. Now when I call, they know my name just by my voice lol! Of course I joke and am always friendly so they see me as a friend:thumbup:

Thanks everyone! Now just keeping my fingers crossed that all the remaining tests go off without a hitch. I can't express my excitement! :biggrin:

I actually had a blood clot form in November 07 due to birth control and it traveled to my lung. NOT FUN. I also took b/c because of very heavy and painful periods. My ob/gyn now prescribes me naproxen which helps miraculously with the pain. I have to admit, though, the bleeding can be a pain. Just imagine, I ALREADY had bad periods and now it is compounded by the blood thinners I have to take for a year due to the pulmonary embolism. I definitely advise you to go with doctors orders. See if you can take something else to control the pain. You might also want to see if your ob/gyn can get you protected under the law...you could file for disability due to your heavy bleeding and go on intermitent leave which means you get a certain amount of total hours that you can take off due to your disability and not get fired for it.