I started out at the Mayo Clinic because I live in Rochester, but Medica informed me that Mayo Clinic is out of network. So they gave me a list of places that were in network and the one that worked the best for me was Gunderson Health Systems in Onalaska. They were so nice and helpful and they accepted the nutrition things that I had done at Mayo. I completed all the necessary requirements and the Gunderson Health System was going to submit my request today, but the insurance company apologized, but the customer service rep that I spoke to prior to going to Gunderson told me the wrong information so they will not pay for my surgery. I spoke the bariatric program manager at Gunderson and she looked back at the notes and she has a note from the business office that they spoke to a specific person at Medica who pre-certified my surgery but Medica said it doesn't matter, even though it was pre certified, they still won't cover the surgery because they are out of network. The did say they will cover all the appointment that I had with dietitians, psych and the surgeon. grrrrrrr!!

I posted this as a reply because I couldn't figure out how to post a new topic. Sorry about that.

You may have to come up to the cities, unfortunately. I live up in the north metro in Anoka, and I've been driving down there to the Gonda building for ear stuff. It's doable but not fun on the car or gas pump.

I'm going threw Park Nicollet Bariatric group that's based out in St Louis Park and Methodist hospital. They do all of the pre op appts in half days, to make it easier. They even have an online info session to watch so that you don't have to travel for the info meeting. Go to their website and their listed under surgery centers.

Hope you get connected with a new group...