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The Waiting Game..until insurance approves Gastric Sleeve Surgery ?

tuesday, i met my surgeon and i got a tentative date for dec 20th. today was my final 6th month appointment & im praying they submit my papers by tomorrow. i hope for a speedy approval. my insurance coordinator went home sick today so i wasnt able to sit & talk with her. :(

QUESTION: how long after your papers were submitted to insurance were you approved?

****UPDATE****

i just talked to my nurse practioner & she said all my papers were submitted. yay! :)

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  • Oopsseedaisy
    Oopsseedaisy

    Do not set your expectations too high after hearing that it took one hour for the insurance company to approve my surgery. I talked with my coordinator all the time to make sure I had everything they

  • Oopsseedaisy
    Oopsseedaisy

    I am sorry if I was confusing. I was not denied. I think it was because I talked with the insurance company so often, asked so many questions, and had everything exactly like they wanted it, that my p

  • Well, add me to the waiting boat!!! I'm praying for a miraculous, super fast approval for all of us who are waiting!!! GEEZ!!! Just say YES!!!! LOL

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I have said this before i think....if the insurance companies used their heads they would realize that covering such morbidities (msp) as diabetes, sleep apnea etc. over the many years of a persons lifetime cost more than having WLS surgery

kathy

  • Author

i think they feel like they rather pay for the what ifs rather than pay for one large lump sum of bills such as surgery. also, i think if u dont have severe co morbidities, they give u a hard time! they told someone i know who was 600lbs that it was cosmetic! HOW THE HELL IS THAT COSMETIC??? i couldnt believe it!

I have said this before i think....if the insurance companies used their heads they would realize that covering such morbidities (msp) as diabetes, sleep apnea etc. over the many years of a persons lifetime cost more than having WLS surgery

kathy

My papers were submitted on 11/16 and surgery was approved on 11/18. I didn't get the letter until 11/22 though. No phone call, they made me wait. I agree with previous posters the waiting really sucks!!

  • Author

congrats on your approval! they never called you to tell you? how rude!!!

if you dont mind me asking, whats your bmi? do u have co morbidities & wat insurance do u have?

My papers were submitted on 11/16 and surgery was approved on 11/18. I didn't get the letter until 11/22 though. No phone call, they made me wait. I agree with previous posters the waiting really sucks!!

omg - Cosmetic at 600 lbs.????

yrs back when i hadn't even thought of getting WLS - i think everyone thought if you have WLS its because you're vain, and you want to have the surgery, only to improve your appearance.

i do agree that by losing all this weight, you will look better - and feel mentally much better.

But even if you don't have the physical problems (like diabetes et all) you're more bound to get them being overweight.

I do understand what you're saying about the ins. co. would rather pay a little bit at a time - instead of one large price for a WLS. But its ridiculous.

  • Author

youre right! especially if diabetes runs in your family! my bmi is 50! im only 23! being over weight will eventually kill me because of the health problems headed my way! i pray to god that i am approved. my mom has diabetes & i dont want to end up on meds again! they had me on metformin in the past because of being pre diabetic! i NEED this surgery! dont get me wrong, i look forward to looking good too! but its more of a need than just want.

omg - Cosmetic at 600 lbs.????

yrs back when i hadn't even thought of getting WLS - i think everyone thought if you have WLS its because you're vain, and you want to have the surgery, only to improve your appearance.

i do agree that by losing all this weight, you will look better - and feel mentally much better.

But even if you don't have the physical problems (like diabetes et all) you're more bound to get them being overweight.

I do understand what you're saying about the ins. co. would rather pay a little bit at a time - instead of one large price for a WLS. But its ridiculous.

jasleeve, "I need this surgery" this is going to sound naive (msp) but i just don't understand. If you need your gall bladder out, or your tonsils, or even your wisdom teeth - there is no question - you need it done - no ifs and or buts;

they should know that WLS is just as important for your well being. The sleeve has been around for years, no long statistic about success rate.... but its great, you all love your sleeve. "the sleeve rocks"

Ironically or not, i don't have my WLS for about 2 weeks - but i've heard so many great things, that i know ins. should cover it, without such a big problem.

Like i said i probably being a little naive, but i just wish things with ins. would be easier.

kathy

it took me a week to get approved and the surgeons insurance coordinator called me the same day to let me know it was approved. i got a letter a few days later. so stay in touch with our surgeons office. they will know before you do.

  • Author

i call daily! lol

it took me a week to get approved and the surgeons insurance coordinator called me the same day to let me know it was approved. i got a letter a few days later. so stay in touch with our surgeons office. they will know before you do.

  • Author

funny u should say that... ive had my gall bladder, tonsils & wisdom teeth removed! next better be 85% of my tummy! -_-

jasleeve, "I need this surgery" this is going to sound naive (msp) but i just don't understand. If you need your gall bladder out, or your tonsils, or even your wisdom teeth - there is no question - you need it done - no ifs and or buts;

they should know that WLS is just as important for your well being. The sleeve has been around for years, no long statistic about success rate.... but its great, you all love your sleeve. "the sleeve rocks"

Ironically or not, i don't have my WLS for about 2 weeks - but i've heard so many great things, that i know ins. should cover it, without such a big problem.

Like i said i probably being a little naive, but i just wish things with ins. would be easier.

kathy

  • Author

i called my insurance company and i swear, they are useless! the lady had no idea what i was talking about. i ended up calling my surgeons office.... smh!

the insurance coordinator answered. she was so rude that i wanted to really curse her out! im super vulnerable & sensitive at this point & i expect reassurance when i call these people, not to be cut off & given attitude! i didnt even finish my sentence before she cut me off with an annoyed attitude & told me i need to be patient & basically wastrying to tell me not to call her! you would think i call her all day long the way she talked to me! smfh.

im def not having a good day today! :(

A new delay for me today... BCBSIL now wants 7 PCP supervised visits, not 6. So I have to have another appointment with my PCP and resubmit. Such a pain in the but! I'm right here with ya!

tuesday, i met my surgeon and i got a tentative date for dec 20th. today was my final 6th month appointment & im praying they submit my papers by tomorrow. i hope for a speedy approval. my insurance coordinator went home sick today so i wasnt able to sit & talk with her. :(

QUESTION: how long after your papers were submitted to insurance were you approved?

****UPDATE****

i just talked to my nurse practioner & she said all my papers were submitted. yay! :smile1:

Congrats on your papers being submitted!!! keep us updated on what the insurance says!

I have my last PCP appointment on Friday and my psych appointment is tomorrow. I hope my psych doesnt' take too long to send in the report!! then it's off to the insurance!!

Anyone here have BCBS (federal or not)? My coordinator says that it usually takes about 30 days to get an answer and I DON'T WANT TO WAIT THAT LONG!!!! :(

  • Author

ohhh no! :( im sorry to hear that. ive been at my drs office non stop so i have about 15 or more on record in the last 7months! i hope they dont pull that one on me :(

A new delay for me today... BCBSIL now wants 7 PCP supervised visits, not 6. So I have to have another appointment with my PCP and resubmit. Such a pain in the but! I'm right here with ya!

  • Author

30 days? WOW! thats a very long time! :(

Congrats on your papers being submitted!!! keep us updated on what the insurance says!

I have my last PCP appointment on Friday and my psych appointment is tomorrow. I hope my psych doesnt' take too long to send in the report!! then it's off to the insurance!!

Anyone here have BCBS (federal or not)? My coordinator says that it usually takes about 30 days to get an answer and I DON'T WANT TO WAIT THAT LONG!!!! :(

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