For those of you who had to undergo an EGD (upper endoscopy), how many weeks/months prior to your surgery did you get it? Did you have it done before or after your insurance approval?

I just attended my seminar two weeks ago and the patient care coordinator is asking me to do the EGD. My insurance, however, requires a six month medically supervised weight loss program, meaning I wouldn't even get approved for the surgery until early next year. To save on costs in terms of deductible and out-of-pocket maximums, I would like to get the EGD and surgery done in the same calendar year. Is it reasonable to wait until early next year to get the EGD since my surgeon won't even be applying for approval of the surgery until early next year?

Thanks

I know you just asked this question today and it is the weekend. However I hope you will get some answers to your question. I am in the same situation as you are but also have lots of other test to do. I too am wondering if I should even do them before I know if the insurance will approve of the surgery.

They want me take all test before they submit

If the EGD is not an insurance requirement, I would wait until I was approved. Actually, that's what I'm doing. My insurance requirements were extremely lenient - my specific criteria, BMI greater than 35 and less than 40 - I had to have 2 co-morbidities and enrollment in their "Bariatric Resource Services." I'm barely over 35 and I got a sleep study to get the sleep apnea diagnosis. I have no nutrition or psych eval requirement... by insurance. My surgeon requires the psych eval and EGD. Since the EGD is "invasive" I waited until I got my insurance approval before I scheduled the EGD. My timeline is:

8/27 - EGD --- need at least 2 weeks between that procedure and the surgery in the event I am H. pylori positive and need to take the course of antibiotics.9

9/1 - F/U for EGD / Pre-Op for surgery

9/18 - Sleeve surgery

9/27 - F/U for surgery

I'm self pay but had one a week ago to get better self pay pricing. I hope to sleeve next month.

I had to do the same so we postponed the egd until insurance gave approval. I'm having it August 6 and surgery August 19. So wait and have it apply to your deductible.

EGD was done and two days later sleeve surgery date was given. My process was quite simple; consult, EGD and sleeve within a 2 month window. Insurance covered all.

My EGD was done after approval for surgery, and two weeks prior to surgery...in case of H-Pylori, and the need to be on antibiotics for 2 weeks if I had had H-pylori (which I didn't). Good luck!

Mine was done in June and we don't submit until Monday.

I have my EGD on 15th of August and won't have surgery until December. Guess all doctors are different.

I suspect some of the timing has to do with surgeon availability and operating room availability at the chosen facility.

After insurance approval, about 2-3 weeks before surgery.

I was told that the egd was required and good for 6 months. I got mine the end of July and all but $50 was covered by my ins. My medical clearance apt is Aug 27th and then I'll wait for cigna's approval. So in a nutshell get it done within a few months of when you believe you'll be getting the surgery. My surgeons office called me to schedule it. If in doubt call them and ask what they'd like you to do.

I had my Egd last week and my surgery is August 4th

Just had my egd, so much easier than I expected or read. Met with surgeon am a go for the 19

My first appt with my doctor was end of July and my EGD is scheduled for mid September, surgery isn't till January.