Hard not to get discouraged when you see other people starting the process after me, and I am still waiting for approval. The 45 day limit on the appeal is fast approaching, and am still waiting for letter of medical necessity from my neurologist. What stings is that the request was sent over almost three weeks ago. Doc dictated it the next day and sent it off to be transcribed. Well I guess there was nothing in the file so the transcriptionist just moved on. No follow up. No question. No nothing. Just dumped it and moved on. So now I may miss the deadline for the appeal because they did nothing about it for three weeks. I started in July and didn't have the six month diet. I was told late September or early October and I would be sleeved. Mid October and I am still trying to get stuff submitted. Trying to keep hopes up and anxiety in check. But getting more and more discouraged every day.

Sorry to hear about your difficulties having your surgery scheduled... Can you go in person to your doctor's office and speak to someone? I would try to follow-up in person, so they understand that you are serious about your healthcare. Ask for copies of everything that was submitted, fax confirmation pages, names of people who were contacted, etc. Just a shot in the dark, but it may work.

Keeping you in my thoughts...

The worst case scenario is that you miss the appeal date. The docs can resubmit a new request with a letter from your neurologist. It might take a little more time and it will be frustrating, but when you get to the goal line of surgery, you will do awesome and it will be well worth it.

that you have to deal with this, it doesn't seem fair. Keep working on it.

Sorry for your frustration ! I went through similar issues. My advice is this:

Keep calm and professional , the results will be better.

Keep notes on all your phone calls, referring to them reminds those you are speaking with that you are not a flake who will just go away.

Keep copies of your medical records at home. There were times my PCP wouldn't come through and I had to fax records to other doctors and insurance.

When someone says they will take care of whatever the next step is, let them know you will make a follow up call and ask when would be a reasonable time to do that.

Hang in there and vent your frustrations here. There always seems to be at least one person who can relate to whatever your going through!