So I made an appointment with my surgeon to discuss WHY was it taking so long for Medicare to approve or give the GREEN light for the Gastric Sleeve. His response was " Here can you read this", It was an email from the head of the insurance dept at the hospital from about a month ago. It stated that MEDICARE was still NOT approving the sleeve in PA. So I returned it and continued to inform him that how is it that they were the only hospital in PHILADELPHIA that was not processing patients because that I had an appointment tomorrow with another surgeon and he has reasurred me that he can submit to medicare. Funny how being your own advocate can move mountains, I had not even gotten home 10 min when the insurance secretary from the surgeons office was calling me to inform me that my papers where going to be submitted.. Then 2 mins later the surgron himself called to reassure me that he would personally submit them if he had to.. NOW I know you guys know I'm jumping in my skin with exitement BUT then again I'm here thinking WHY?? Did it have to go to those extremes for an individual to do the JOB she was hired to do which is HELP patients with this already stressful choice. I am EXTREMELY happy that I wasn't pushed to go to another surgeon and start the process all over again not to mention having to pay for the test that were not covered by medicare. So I close with this, BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH... Smooches and hope to be on the losers bench very soon...

BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH..

babygirl

what a great statement - very true!!!!

good for you on pushing the envelope

you are right, if "you" don't fight for "you" - who will

dr. comment "here can you read this!!) doesn't sound very nice of him to say

hope you get a surgery date soon

good luck

Babygirl: I have Medicarecomplet SecureHorizon/Medicare and been calling them for weeks (not covered,not covered,not covered) then one day they said covered I called the doctors office no not covered but but but they they called not covered I call insurance next day yes your covered ,call again yes your covered....call back to the drs office ok I will call right call back they told her no, shecall me says she can send it in if I request but dosent recomend it . I say send it 1/23/13 sent 1/25/13 Drs office gets ok.... surgery Febuary 6, 10:00 AM I dont hold the Drs office at fault we have 2 differnt lines we call and each had there own anwser....DEBI on my way ! ! !

I think my ins co is trying to kill me off instead of save me. They have me jumping thru so many hoops that's its becoming stressful! Completed all reqs and 6mo nut visits. Paperwork gets denied bcause dr is no longer in network. (how is that when the office verified my ins b4 I started) Now they act like its so hard to find a dr in network that will cover. They keep giving me the run around. But I promise you guys 1 thing....I will not give up! I will find a surgeon on my own! And I will keep my Feb 20 surgery date!

Sandy did you hear yet call insurance

OMG.. I HAVE MY SURGERY DATE... PRAISE GOD!! Feb 25th.. I'm so excited right now!!!!

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Where are you having your surgery in Philadelphia?

Einstein Bariatrics @ the Elkins Park Hospital on Township Rd..

I work at UPenn, on the bariatrc unit. Small world.

Tomorrow will make 2 wks since my paperwork was submitted and still no response. Is this normal?

I was approved within three days, you should contract the surgeons office or medicare..

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CALL YOUR INSURANCE....you don't need to wait call everyday.