Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Patient Coordinator Hell!



Recommended Posts

I was set for surgery literally down to my bags packed, groceries stock post op, lists made, bills paid, and several contacts in case of emergency besides my husband and over 2 weeks of fasting. I was ready.

Less than 24 hours before check in, my PCC calls and tells me my secondary Insurance should have been my primary, because I have My Medicare, and my husband carries me on his plan as well, and because he works they have to bill his first and mine second. Keep in mind my surgeon's office called me less than a month ago, five months into this process, and said they were using my Medicare as the primary, but changed their story less than a day to go.

For the next 23 hours I could not sleep, focus or do anything, but try to get this approved, all work mine you done on my end, and my PCC just getting smug and condescending.

Needless to say my surgery was canceled until I get my approval, ory option was to check in, sign.a waiver and be liable for ALL the charges.

Hell no!

Come to find out less than an hour after my surgery was canceled I got a phone call from an RN from my Husbands insurance stating that the office I was going through lost their Center of Excellence Status with his company, and regardless of the outcome, I was going to be stuck with all of it anyway.

I will NEVER step foot in their again, so much so that 3 weeks again I contacted another center, and they did more for me in an afternoon than my previous office did combined!

Lesson learned, and what a close call. Got to look for that silver lining somewhere.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I feel you. After about 2 weeks, my doctor finally did my peer to peer review yesterday which got denied. When I asked the lady from the office why I was denied again, she had no clue. You would think she would have that information. It's kind of important. I just don't think the doc and her staff did all they could do to get me approved. I'm think I'm going to try my luck with a different doc.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Be thankful sounds like a good omen to me. It wasn't meant be at that location; someone helped you make the decision to go elsewhere and I will bet it will go through with flying colours!!

Don't worry you will be sleeved before you know it!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Whew... very frustrating, but glad you can see it as a blessing in disguise.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

At first I was so flipping mad, and crying due to frustration. I mean fasting alone and the anticipation of surgery are enough to stress anyone out, let alone this nightmare on top of it.

I am EXTREMELY thankful it happened now, as I do believe in "warning signs," and that was clearly one.

Everything for a reason right? Right!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×