How long does it take to get a surgery date after approval?

[MkUSmile78 0]

Hey Everyone!

I got my letter from BCBS yesterday saying I had been approved, I am just curious how long it normally takes to get a surgery date after insurance approval? The only pre-op thing I have left to do is meet with the nutrisionist and they told me not to do that until I was approved so I am wondering how long I should expect to wait for a date.

[alysedg23 0]

Depends on your surgeon and how busy he is. Some surgeons dont have a big surgical load so they can get you in fairly quick. I would definetely stay on top of things by calling and making your nutritionist appointment and once you have that, talk to the office and schedule your surgery date. It should move fairly quickly from here on out, but stay on top of things!! Good luck, let me know when your date is!!

[Pippz 0]

My doctor wouldn't let me submit my insurance "package" until everything was done, including my nutritional visit. Once I was approved it took 3-4 days to get my surgery date, which was 3 weeks out.

It's a frustrating process. I hope it goes smoothly for you!

[musicalmomma 1]

It happened the same way for me as it did for Pippz. I'd call the surgeon's office...sometimes you receive the approval letter before they do!

[annielkd 0]

I don't think you should sit back and wait... call them and ask to schedule it! Also, sometimes the nutritionist is booked, so call her too! It shouldn't take more than 4 weeks.... Good LUCK!!!!

[goodtimes 0]

i had to go through the dietian, talk to the surgeon and get all the documentation in. since the surgeon does monthly surgeries at the hospital i am going to, my nurse had actually gave me a date before they even put it through the insurance. my nurse told me it would be 2 weeks before hearing back from ins. got an answer in 3 days

[ragdollx19 1]

Call your doctors office and tell them you want to verify they received the approval letter also. Then ask them how soon you can schedule your surgery date and pre-op visit. Tell them you need to start making arrangements at work.

Good luck!

[nyree34 1]

well for me i know i went to the doctor the surgeon on may 7th and on my birthday may 17th the doctor office called me and told me i was approved and gave me my surgery date...well actually before i got to see the doctor i had to go thru my six consectitive visits with the nutrutionist and see the psych doctor and get my referal letter from my primary care physician and once my surgeon got all that he then seen me and like a couple of days later the admissions office from the hospital called me before the surgeon called me telling me my surgery date and i called the surgeon office and they told me they were still submitting it through my insurance and like two days later they called me and sure enough told me i was approved. i had asked why did the admissions office called me first and they said its protocol for when they are submitting to the insurance and i have state insurance from husky b.

[nyree34 1]

but when your doctor office called you they should have given you a surgery date then. but call your surgeon and see my date is 6/21/07, i nervous like hell

[MkUSmile78 0]

Thanks for all the replies everyone! I called my Dr's office this morning and they had not received the approval letter from BCBS so I faxed it to them. I made my nutritionist appt for June 8 *next Friday*. My surgery date is going to be June 12 or 19, not sure which one yet. I am hoping it will be the 12 because I am supposed to shoot wedding pics on June 23. I guess if it is the 19th I will have to get my hubby to shoot the wedding pics, ohhh boy is he going to love that!!! :love:

[Pippz 0]

Oh! If you do it on the 12th we'll do it the same day. :-D

good luck and keep us posted!