I am 2 months away from surgery and I will basically have ZERO out of pocket due to meeting my max out of pocket. But I am now being told by my surgeons office that they won't schedule me in November but that my surgeon is not scheduled at my in network hospital FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH! I am really not happy and I feel like I have lost my voice.

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My patient advocate hasn't been much of an advocate for me, either. Now that my surgery has been approved, I am hoping that I don't have much interaction with her going forward. She acted like I was a problem because I INSISTED that my surgery be done at an in-network hospital and because I inquired about the anesthesiologist to insure that he/she is also in-network.

Just keep pressing the issue. That's what I have done. My experience is that customer service has been seriously lacking in this endeavor (even though the surgeon himself is really awesome).

Edited September 1, 201610 yr by blizair09

I know right? Love the surgeon and hate the thought of having to think about moving but I have a tight window to get this done and she had ZERO initiative to even want to try to help!

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Great news! Waiting for new patient advocate to be assigned and my surgeon WILL be at my facility in mid November!

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That's great! Everything is working out.

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My caseworker has been slow and snarky. I'm starting to realize that "I'll get right back to you" means 4 days, which doesn't cut it in any other business. I've become very persistent and vocal.

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Yeah. Me too for 4 months and she has not changed but has gotten worse. 2 months out so I need a true ADVOCATE!

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I suppose we can request a new advocate, but I don't want to be considered a problem patient, because office staff tends to get even less willing to help.

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I have requested a new advocate 2 weeks ago and have yet to hear back. Called twice and keep being told they are working on it but I am 45 days out from being able to submit. Very frustrated. I need a true ADVOCATE! Someone on my side.

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I have a new patient advocate and she is already acting like an advocate! What a concept! ????

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I feel like it's too late to request a new advocate and I've learned to go to the woman that assists him when I need help. However, I have another issue now. My paperwork was supposed to be submitted to insurance a week ago but when I called BCBS on Fri. to see if they had received it, they said no. This is so frustrating! So I called my advocate and got voicemail, as always, but didn't bother to leave a message because I don't want to wait the usual 4 days for a reply. So I emailed the assistant, who always answers promptly.

THAT stinks and is exactly what I was afraid of! Stay on them. My nutritionist told me that she transmits the results of the appt within seconds of completing our visit. If that is the last thing needed for approval, it should be very simple to get a file submitted.

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Someone new from the surgeon's office contacted me this week and said the file was sent to insurance on Monday. I guess if I don't hear back from her next week I'll start checking with BCBS for a status.

Someone new from the surgeon's office contacted me this week and said the file was sent to insurance on Monday. I guess if I don't hear back from her next week I'll start checking with BCBS for a status.

Any update?

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I am so lucky. I called the bariatric office and left initial message. They called me back next day and told me exactly what to do. And this whole process from 1st call to surgery has been less than 3 months. The hospital bariatric ward is so in depth. I got tons of preop testing and they personally walked me to the ultrasound, xray, bllood gas, blood work, and ekg. I never had to wonder around from the moment i walked in the door.loved it.

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I got approved and in the 2 week prep diet now. 12/1 sleeve date.

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