How quickly were you approved by your insurance? My paperwork was sent to insurance today and my contact at the surgeon's office said to start calling the insurance company around the middle of next week. Could I be approved that quickly?

took me from august till jan. so about 5 months for me but I've heard of some people getting approved alot faster though.

Laurend, I always say that an early call is in order just to make sure the carrier has all the information they need. If you wait two or three weeks you might just find out after all that time that they're missing this document or that test result, and you've lost all that time. So go ahead and call next week just to make sure their file on you is complete.

In that phone call ask them when you can expect a determination. 30 days is the absolute maximum you should have to wait, and in most cases it's a lot faster. But that countdown doesn't even start until their file is totally complete. So that's what you want to confirm as soon as you can.

Good luck!!

I think it will, in great part, depend upon your insurance carrier and your surgeon's office. My surgeon's office was so on top of eveything that I didn't have to do any of the grunt work myself. After first meeting with my surgeon in April, I was apporved in May and chose my date for early July (teacher's schedule!).

I have heard horror stories from other people regarding their approval process though. Some insurance carries routinely look for anything to delay the claim and will give you the run-around when you call. So make sure your surgeon's office stays on top of things as well.

Good luck to you and keep us posted!!!

thanks for this thread... I think Alexandra has great advice.. call, call, call and check with them... let them know that you are waiting.

I have already been in contact with my insurance company, and i'm hoping that my case will stick in their head just to get it pushed through... I am not shy about contacting them and being a squeaky wheel.... I just hope it works!

I went to my doctor around December 18/19th and the insurance company (UHC) recieved the information on Dec 20th. I called EVERY DAY and always got a different answer (ranging from, I dont show any info on a lapband all the way to it is still in review) all the way until about a week ago when I was informed that I was approved on the 29th!!! No one in the insurance company told me this even when I called to find out! I was told I would recieve the letter within 10 days.

My doctor office told me they had to have the approval letter in hand by last Friday otherwise they was going to have to push the surgery date back by a week. I decided to call the insurance company to have someone fax the letter over to the doctor's office. I called and kept getting transfered. After being told to call a number that ended up being a porn number, I had it! I called back and got in touch with a woman (Katrina) who really took the time to listen to me. She spent about an hour trying to come up with a resolution. She ended up re-typing the approval letter and faxing it over to the doctor's office. I had my pre-op appointment today and my surgery is in 10 days.

So, it took me 2 1/2 weeks full of pestering the insurance company (a pain but well worth it!) and I had my letter in hand. It really depends on the insurance company but taking the time to keep in contact with the insurance company really does help like everyone else said earlier.

I just wanted to give you a little hope and keep your head up!

WOW Stephanie!!!!!!! GREAT POST, very motivating for us just starting to deal with insurance.....

I had my consult yesterday, and the dr office is supposed to fax my documentation today.. (they are going to call me) So, I'll keep you posted on how long it takes me

I was approved before I even knew the doctors office sent out the paperwork. For my insurance company the secretary said it usually takes between 2-4 days. Basically they know real quick if they will approve you.

I think it took about 3 weeks for my approval. My surgeon's office handled everything. I just gave them my preminilary paperwork and medical records, and next thing I knew I had a letter of pre-approval from my insurance company.

It was very painless (back then) for me. I was 90% expecting to be denied as I didn't have comorbidities. At the very least I expected to have to submit additional paperwork or undergo some tests, but nope!

Oh - yeah - situation similar to Ariel. I submitted my preliminary stuff, then started getting annoyed with my surgeon's office because they're instructions stated, "If you haven't heard anything in 2 weeks, call us" and I had been calling them and they weren't getting back with me. So finally they called me back. I was expecting "we also need..." and instead she says, "I'm assuming you got the same letter I did..." and told me I was pre-approved. Then when I went to check mail on my way home, there it was.

That gives me hope. I have my first consultation this Friday and my insurance company covers the surgery. I already have my medical records, had a physical last month, receipts from WW. I dont want to go in too anxious, but looking prepared and that I am serious. Plus I have all the knowledge I have obtained from the awesome site, Im hoping it wont be very much longer after that.

Just wanted to let you know that Regence has changed their policy regarding the lap band. Seems they will cover it as long as you meet their criteria! It's about time! Yahoo! :clap2: