TracyinKS

CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!! I got an email from my docs office and the hospital I have to go to due to insurance is booked all the way into MARCH! So unless someone cancels and I can get bumped up.. there is NO way I'm even going to make a Feb date. I'm trying to take a deep breath and be patient... (but that is not one of my strong suits) CRAP!CRAP!CRAP! OK.. done bellyaching now

Go Gettem!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just got an email from my doc..... I guess with my insurance I have only one choice of hospital, and that hospital is already booked into MARCH! THAT SUCKS! (pardon my language)

BEFORE BANDING! I've been pointing friends here ever since.... I just wish they would come over and start learning for themselves!

Going with my employers insurance.. but ... I heard that by the end of this month Medicare is supposed to review the centers of excellence again and hopefully REMEMBER to include some local hospitals

Congrats!!!!!!! that is great news!

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I could just get her to COME TO THIS BOARD.. she might consider it.... by you know MOMS

I am so :angry ! I started checking into a band for my mom...... I helped her set up a profile, and then I downloaded her Health Certificate... guess what is on EXCLUSION #33? You guessed it.. 33. For bariatric surgery, regardless of the purpose it is proposed or performed. This includes but is not limited to Roux-en-Y (RNY), Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery or other gastric bypass surgery (surgical procedures that reduce stomach capacity and divert partially digested food from the duodenum to the jejunum, the section of the small intestine extending from the duodenum), or Gastroplasty, (surgical Certificate procedures that decrease the size of the stomach), or gastric banding procedures. Complications that result in an Inpatient stay or an extended Inpatient stay for the bariatric surgery are not covered Dang it, she needs it so... and now she is so depressed........ I swear.. If I had the money I would fly her ass to Mexico and get it done, OR Denver, but Mexico would be warmer...

victoriana: GREAT idea.... we eat at mexican restraunts all the time and I've been wondering what in the heck I'm going to order after my banding!

Congrats Debi!!!!!!! I hope to be a February Bandster!!!!!!!

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! Glad to see your are back and posting!

First Welcome! Second: you will find info about Several Mexican Band Doctors on this forum Third: Do a search for Mexico and you will hit a ton of threads. My opinion of Mexican Band Surgery changed after reading all the favorable postings. KEEP US POSTED!

Our insurance covers BMI over 35 with 2 comorbidities.. check your policy, check with your employer.. you may be qualified.. BUT Lots and lots of people on here have went to Mexico with great results. GOOD LUCK!

I think it is an insurance thing.... my insurance wont cover it as an outpatient procedure, so I'll be staying overnight. prbrook: I was hoping to be one of those thurs-monday people, but now I'm wondering if I should take a bit more time.... (I'm also using dr. malley)

I was really hoping for a January date, but after my surgeons office got off the phone with my insurance, I found out I had to do two things... and getting appointments quickly was nearly impossible.... I'm hoping for the middle to end of Feb now. Stacy: Yes I would be dissapointed too! you are right though it will come soon enough. I will try my best to keep up our list.... OK? Everyone have a fabulous day!

OK... Here's hoping I got everyone: Greg - 2/2/07 <O:p</O:p Susannah - 02/02/07<O:p</O:p Staceyrtl - 02/02/07<O:p</O:p Babygrl1234 - 02/06/07<O:p</O:p HeatherPA -Pending Chris - Pending TracyKS - (psyc & nutrition 1/17 & 1/22) <O:p</O:p

WELCOME! you can get a ticker from www.tickerfactory.com and then post the code into your signature.

LD: Our company offers 3 plans under BCBS: PPO-Plus, PPO-Base, and the CDHP (Consumer Driven Health Plan) otherwise known as an HRA (Health Reimbursement Account.) In the shortest explaination possible PPO-Plus: Higher out of check, but cheaper if you use it... Lower deductibles and copays PPO-Base: Cheaper out of check, more if you use it.... Higher deductibles, and copays CDHP: Money is credited to your account (my case it is $1125) When I go to the doctor/pharmacy the full visit price comes out of that first 1125.. I have no Upfront deductibles or copays... but when I use the first $1125, then I get to the bridge (fancy word for deductible) I pay the next $1125, then once that is satisfied I go to 90% coverage level.... The upside is: if this would of been last year I spent a total of $600 on health care, and had we offered this plan I would of had the left over money added to this years begining pot......... oh and the premiums are $75 a month cheaper than the PPO-Plus plan, and it is SUPPOSED to give you more say over your health care choices.. (which is why they tout NO precerts or copays) The CDHP is perfect for those who use very little health care or those who USE ALOT!!!!!!!!!!!

Well... the cash pay for my doc is 16.5K, I am having insurance pay as much as they will........ BUT I took our cheaper premium CDHP plan, meaning that I could possibly end up paying the entire ANNUAL OUT OF POCKET MAX, which is around $3800.... I took a chance and put all of this into a Flex Spending Account (pretax) out of my paycheck..... I figure my checks will be somewhat smaller BUT it will be paid for.... and our FSA accounts came with a Visa prepaid debit card that I've already swiped at my surgeons office.......... if for some unforseen reason this flops... everyone on my christmas list next year will be getting gift baskets with OTC meds and heating pads!!!!!!!!! LOL I will say that I've seen some great ideas for financing.... 401K loans, HELOCS, Refinance, or 2nd's... credit card with zero interest, and all the medical financing places...

That is why you need to appeal to the state.. it is your employers choice not to cover, and since you already appealed to THEM you need to take it to an outside agency........ so what about other insurance (spouse) have you checked into that route? Oh and I think one of the moderators Andrea posted something that could make a difference on your SPD question.... she said if your insurance is self insured (by your employer) you have a right to your SPD. (mine is, which is why we hand them out at open enrollment) Oh and another thing while I'm on this topic.... I called around for a psyc eval today and the place the really ticked me off.. was spouting off saying that they knew a bunch of tests would be required of me because they had two other patients from our company wanting to do the same thing and insurance was requiring a bunch of tests........ hmmmmmmmm.. this COULD be the difference between our PPO and CDHP.. but you see.. the SAME policy, same provider, same plan gets very different answers by bcbs.... (I'm using my flex dollars to pay for both my evals and I'm going to be ticked off if they come back on me) but like I've said before.. give me the dang band and I'll worry about getting them to pay for it later! LOL (ok coming down off my soap box)

My better half is skeerd of my moods when faced with me being on liquids!!! He said that he and the boys will run and hide when needed! LOL

I have to say that I had my consult with Dr. Malley on 1/8/07 in his new office on Lamar. He is so funny.. quiet, but funny... His staff is GREAT! Darlene, Nikki, Rachel......... poor Rachel.. she is both a nurse and the insurance guru.. I've been keeping her email hot with insurance stuff.... I look forward to getting banded HOPEFULLY in February 2006

WOW!!! banded today and you walked around the block! MY HERO!!!!

I'm going to start a list (like the January Bunch has):clap2: Greg - 2/2/07 So far the FIRST February Bandster! Susannah - 2/8/07 CONGRATS! HeatherPA -Pending Chris - Pending TracyKS - (psyc & nutrition 1/17 & 1/22)