Does anyone have Orange Coast Memorial Medical in Fountain Valley for their surgery Dr's? I just got my surgery date today and they stated their 1st available surgery date isn't till 9/1/2010. THIS IS CRAZY! Not only will my authorization be expired by then, I have a feeling my insurance is going to be changing in July! Does anyone have any advise that could help me out? PLEASE!!!!

Well, I would suggest that you talk to them and explain your situation. Tell them that based upon the date they have given you that your insurance won't cover it by then. They might be able to slide you in sooner.

It is certainly worth a try, and you might be surprised.

They are a business like any other and they don't want to lose the revenue if they can help it.

If they do not give you an earlier date, then see about getting another provider. I know that it will depend upon your insurance, but if you have other options, then I would begin checking them out right away. Many patients are able to get a surgery date within weeks, and if you already have your insurance approvals then you might be able to find someone who can do it a LOT sooner.

Don't give up hope....I think you'll be able to work this out.

S.

I agree with Spartan. I would talk with the doctor and if he is unwilling/unable to accommodate your request to have your surgery at an earlier date, I would begin searching for a new surgeon. Granted, you may have to travel farther to the new surgeon, but at least you will get banded. I know insurance companies vary, but mine had 4 approved surgeons I was able to choose from.

Good luck and stay strong!

have you considered going to Mexico? i went with Dr. Aceves and it went great. Excellent service, excellent price, excellent staff. You should check it out.

The office I am going to has 4 approved surgeons too. This threw me into a headspin. In the initial orientation they had stated anywhere between 4-8 weeks scheduled out, now 2 months later they scheduled it 5 months out. I called the scheduler back twice this afternoon and I hope she calls me back tomorrow.

I am really hoping they take into consideration that my insurance MAY change as of July 1, 2010 and if that happens then....what?? I have to start all over again! I really really hope not. I would feel so discouraged!

Here's to.....hoping things will get better!! :frown: :smile2:

I'm really sorry you're so upset. I would be, too, in your shoes. That's a distant surgery date if I've ever seen one!

There are a lot of surgeons who perform banding in your area. I bet you'll find that more than one accepts your insurance.

That's the route I'd take. Waiting for clearance from specialists is one thing. As is waiting for insurance clearance. But waiting months for a surgery date? Unless my surgeon was spectacular, the only one within a 200-mile radius who performed the procedure, or in Haiti doing relief work, or something---I'd find it very difficult to justify putting everything on hold (and jeopardizing those clearances/coverage.)

Aside from the logistical nightmare, you've seen a cardiologist, pulmonologist, and other specialists who have cleared you for surgery based on your condition now. Five months from now, your condition may be different.

So in addition to throwing a real wrench into the works in terms of schedule, this type of delay can actually impact your physical safety and well-being.

I hope you find a good solution fast!

Thank you for the advise, Betsy. I called the office this morning and spoke to the girl who schedules the surgeries and she is working to get me a earlier surgery date due to the insurance issue. I have finished all my required appointments so it is only their schedule that is holding up my surgery. I still can't believe that with 4 surgeons they are scheduled out 5 months. Even if my insurance was not an issue, this would still be unacceptable to me. I will let you all know what happens. She said she should be able to let me know by Friday. Thanks for your reply!! :-)

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow, Montynic!! Thanks!!

is there reason why they pushed you back so far? I dont know your area but is that the ONLY hospital that offers this kind of surgery? I live in Syracuse, NY and we have two major no 3 major hospital that offer this program one is in two here in Onondaga cty and one in Oneida county and all 3 are good. can you go out side of your county? I know that might be a bit much I know when I went to my first info meeting it was asked that if you started someplace diffrent and had all of your "work up done" would this hospital except it and the answer was yes.. So I would keep searching

Good Luck hang in there this is just a road block.. and what do we do when we come to road blocks? we go around them

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow, Montynic!! Thanks!!

Thank you! I will make sure to let everyone know how it goes.

It WORKED! They called today to give me a new surgery date! May 3rd!! Yea!!!! I am soo very happy! Thanks for the suggestions!

Ouch. I think that is who my surgury center will be; but I'll find out for sure next week. Do you have Anthem HMO? If you do, do you have a second hospital option like Fountain Valley Hospital??? Maybe check that???

They re-scheduled my surgery and now it's less than a month away. This is a good thing!!

Here in the state of Alabama/BCBS has everyone wait 6 months before you are approved for your surgery date, so this dose not sound so unusual. At first I hated the idea,but after having gone thru the process I think its a good thing .You have a chance to get your head around what you are about to do.

Hello,

I just had my surgery through Dr Leport last Wednesday, 04/01. The whole process fro me was less than three months. I was told that Dr. Leport was the most difficult surgeon to get as far as scheduling and I had an appointment with him in less than a months time. I wonder why they wanted to schedule your surgery so far out??? That was crazy.

Best of luck and are you at the supprt group meetings on Monday evenings? If so, I will be there as well.

Tonia :thumbdown:

It WORKED! They called today to give me a new surgery date! May 3rd!! Yea!!!! I am soo very happy! Thanks for the suggestions!

Yay, you!! That's awesome- I'm glad that you called and it worked. May 3 will be here before you know it!!