Healthfirst

[Nikki87 0]

Does anyone out there have family health plus healthfirst??? And can tell me how there approval process goes and what they require.

Thanx

[beba238 123]

I do... do you live in NY???

you need the 6 months letter

echocardiograhm

upper endoscopy

ultrasound

sleep study or breathing test

psych evaluation

[Nikki87 0]

Yes I live in the bronx...when you say 6 months letter what do you mean?...i have my appt next week for the blood tests and ultrasound..i just wanna know what to expect and thanx sooo much for responding..

[patienceshy 3]

Yes I live in the bronx...when you say 6 months letter what do you mean?...i have my appt next week for the blood tests and ultrasound..i just wanna know what to expect and thanx sooo much for responding..

Hello I'm in the Bronx as well was wondering what doctor and hospital are you getting your surgery at. I was going to Harlem hospital for a little while bit decided to switch to montefiore hospital..

[Nikki87 0]

Hey...i found a doctor in manhattan Dr. Scott Belsley hes affiliated with St.Lukes Roosevelt...i was going to go to montefiore but they needed a referral from my pcp even just to sit for the seminar with dr belsley the process is a little quicker

[Fallenangel2904 494]

I'm from The Bronx also with Health First. I had surgery Nov 14th and went through Jacobi Hospital in The Bronx. I honestly didn't think surgery would happen at one point because the nurse practitioner told me health first is very difficult to approve. I didn't do a 6 month diet it either because no one informed me I needed one until very late in the process. So we submitted o insurance with just a letter for approval written by my surgeons office. I also did all the other standard pre op testing. We heard back in less then 24 hours that I was approved. SHOCKED me because they hyped it up to believe they were so difficult and I was so nervous. Honestly even the insurance coordinator was surprised they approved me so I don't know if my situation was a rare exception.

If I were you I would do the 6 month diet anyway just to be safe. Best of luck!

[patienceshy 3]

Hey...i found a doctor in manhattan Dr. Scott Belsley hes affiliated with St.Lukes Roosevelt...i was going to go to montefiore but they needed a referral from my pcp even just to sit for the seminar with dr belsley the process is a little quicker

Oh ok yeah your right about the seminar their having one on the 25th of jan...which I'm going to I was going to Harlem hospital did the most of my appointments but I didn't feel too comfortable there...the hospital itself just felt depressing.. but when is the seminar at st Luke's?

[patienceshy 3]

I'm from The Bronx also with Health First. I had surgery Nov 14th and went through Jacobi Hospital in The Bronx. I honestly didn't think surgery would happen at one point because the nurse practitioner told me health first is very difficult to approve. I didn't do a 6 month diet it either because no one informed me I needed one until very late in the process. So we submitted o insurance with just a letter for approval written by my surgeons office. I also did all the other standard pre op testing. We heard back in less then 24 hours that I was approved. SHOCKED me because they hyped it up to believe they were so difficult and I was so nervous. Honestly even the insurance coordinator was surprised they approved me so I don't know if my situation was a rare exception.

If I were you I would do the 6 month diet anyway just to be safe. Best of luck!

Thanx so much for the information...yeah no one told me about that either because I was going to Harlem hospital for lil while did moat of my appointments but I wasn't feeling the hospital itself and I didn't feel safe if I had surgery there. So when did u first start your appointments and how long after did u get your surgery date? Also how you feeling now that you have made the big step to weightloss

[Fallenangel2904 494]

Thanx so much for the information...yeah no one told me about that either because I was going to Harlem hospital for lil while did moat of my appointments but I wasn't feeling the hospital itself and I didn't feel safe if I had surgery there. So when did u first start your appointments and how long after did u get your surgery date? Also how you feeling now that you have made the big step to weightloss

I started everything in June- first appointment was June 18th and I had surgery November 14th so 5 months. It would have been 4 months but I was delayed one month for pulmonary. I complained about the process as I was doing it but all in all it went fast.

I've been doing great! Down almost 60lbs (lost 20 pre op). The first few days were rough but by week 2 I felt great. I haven't had this much energy in a LONG time. Eating hasn't been as hard as i thought. Haven't has trouble with any foods I've eaten just have to learn to eat slower or its a bit uncomfortable. Aside from that i feel totally normal. I don't regret a thing about the decision.

[patienceshy 3]

I started everything in June- first appointment was June 18th and I had surgery November 14th so 5 months. It would have been 4 months but I was delayed one month for pulmonary. I complained about the process as I was doing it but all in all it went fast.

I've been doing great! Down almost 60lbs (lost 20 pre op). The first few days were rough but by week 2 I felt great. I haven't had this much energy in a LONG time. Eating hasn't been as hard as i thought. Haven't has trouble with any foods I've eaten just have to learn to eat slower or its a bit uncomfortable. Aside from that i feel totally normal. I don't regret a thing about the decision.

Ok that is great hopefully it would be quick for me as well just hopeing they don't say I have to take all the test over again.

[deli89 5]

Hey...i found a doctor in manhattan Dr. Scott Belsley hes affiliated with St.Lukes Roosevelt...i was going to go to montefiore but they needed a referral from my pcp even just to sit for the seminar with dr belsley the process is a little quicker

HELLO, i just had my first consultation with him this past thursday 12/27/12. I liked my first experience with him and his office staff and i've also read amazing things about him

[Nikki87 0]

There is no seminar with the surgeon im going too..they only require you to go to 2 support groups and whatever ur insurance.requires

[deli89 5]

i called Dr. Belsley's office directly, no seminars required, just 2 support groups ( as you mentioned) pcp letter, psych eval, pre op testing

[Nikki87 0]

Yea if all goes well my surgery should be by march hopefully...

[Nikki87 0]

I hope all works out well for u too