APRA assessors have no idea

soriminah · March 11, 2008

Hi all

So, I've been waiting anxiously on APRA to assess my claim to release super for the op. After 5 phone calls over the last 2 weeks I finally got my answer today - no, we need more info.

APRA requires that the Dr's letters state that you are suffering a 'life threating illness', so the surgeon wrote 'life threatening obesity'. Anywho, I was told to get another letter stating life threatening illness. I said it states life threatening and gives the name of the illness. I also attached my discharge notice from hospital from November when I almost died.

The response from APRA? Our assessors are not Dr's and you need to write illness and they don't know medical terminology so they can't read the discharge notice. WHAT THE? So I need the Dr to write another letter changing the word obesity to illness.

The people at APRA who determine whether or not I can have a life saving operation have no medical training so can deny an application over 1 word.

I rang the surgeons office and the secretary said that is the first time one of their letters has been declined over the use of the word obesity instead of illness - they use a standard letter for every client.

So, if they want letters, tomorrow I'll be faxing through 4 all stating 'life threatening illness' - one from the surgeon, 2 GP letters and my vascuar specialist.

Oh, by the way, I asked to speak to the assessor and was told no and then asked to speak to a supervisor and after being on hold was told the supervisor has said the same thing so I wasn't allowed to speak to the supervisor.

Obviously the people who sit on the other end of the phone have no idea how they are playing with peoples lives.

sewenup1 · March 11, 2008

Hi all
So, I've been waiting anxiously on APRA to assess my claim to release super for the op. After 5 phone calls over the last 2 weeks I finally got my answer today - no, we need more info.

Hey, calm down. Send them the letters, big organisations can be real sh*ts to deal with (I know I work for one).

Problem is that it's no big deal to them and while this is wrong, unfortunately its the way they work. Play their game- in the end they will probably give it to you and then you can forget all about them. :blushing:

I know it's a stress you don't really need but sometimes you just got to let them have their moments of power (probably have nothing else in their lives).

Hope everything goes smoother for you this time.

Danna

soriminah · March 11, 2008

I wouldn't be so shitty if it wasn't for the fact that I am the first person through my surgeon that's been told to change 1 word on the letter in all they years they've been doing it. Every other person they have given the same letter to hasn't had a problem and been approved immediately. I now have to cancel my operation as I am supposed to pay for the op tomorrow and that's not going to happen now.

josnjos · March 11, 2008

Hey there,

I had the same problem with APRA, but I faxed them the letter they requested and I was approved a couple of days later. At the end of the day I am sure you will be approved, but there is a process they need to follow. It did take from memory around 4-5 weeks to get the whole thing approved.

My other drama was that we had more than enough money in the bank to pay cash for the op, but those funds were from the sale of our house and we need it to buy our new house, but I sent proof of this and I was approved no problems.

I know its frustrating I have been there, but 8 weeks post-op it was well and truly worth the weight (pardon the pun!!) I have lost 24kg and am feeling great!

Keep your chin up,

Josh.

Sunwyse · March 12, 2008

I've been told you have to get paper work from them and then have to word things EXACTLY or they won't give you the money. I know it sounds picky on their part, but they probably have their reasons. Best to just give them what they want :smile:

jacquitiger · February 27, 2009

hi ( first timer )

when you apply from your APRA fund. do they send you the payment or do they send the payment directly to the surgeon ? and do you have to have an op date before they release the payment ? because im thinking of trying to withdraw from apra myself.

Edited February 27, 2009 by jacquitiger
i made a mistake sorry

Big Damo · March 1, 2009

hi ( first timer )
when you apply from your APRA fund. do they send you the payment or do they send the payment directly to the surgeon ? and do you have to have an op date before they release the payment ? because im thinking of trying to withdraw from apra myself.

hi

i used APRA to fund my OP

yes its a pain in the a55 & a lengthy wait for approval & yes everything has to fit within their guidelines of acceptance but 3 mths out of surgery i have to say that it wasnt that bad. At the time though i was pulling my hair out. seemed very strange that it had to be worded exactly to how they wanted it or NO GO !!! my GP said to me when he was typing out his letter for the 3rd time that it would surely be easier if they wanted exact wording that they ( APRA ) provided a form in which was filled out according the what info they wanted. each time APRA wanted more info or letter re written that you were put on the end of the LOOOOONG que again.

do it, its definately worth it. just ask the correct questions from the start as to what they require.

go for it , youll be fine.

good luck with it

cheers

Damo

jacquitiger · March 1, 2009

thanks for the reply big damo

so what is the correct wording everyone is talking about. im just about to get my doctors to write some letters for me. i would love someone to give me the tips on the correct wording so i can pass it to my doctors.

Flip · March 12, 2009

My Dr has REFUSED to write "life threatening illness".... I'm really shltty.....should I just try and get another Dr to write the letter? I don't have another GP that I go to!

I can borrow the money from the bank, but Jeeze, my mortgage is already astronomical!!

jacquitiger · March 12, 2009

hi flip

i saw my doc last week and asked him to write me a letter. well yesterday i got it and he put life threatening illness. but he is a sleep specialist and i do have very severe sleep apnea. i also have kidney disease i want to get a letter from my kidney specialist but my next app isnt untill the end of next month so i wont bother. anyway ive applied for a loan and today it was approved :thumbup: im not going to hold my breath for apra.

Flip · March 13, 2009

I got the letter from APRA today and it says I have to send in a letter from "A" GP .... it did not say "YOUR" GP, so I'm just going to find another Dr who will write it for me.... what does it matter to them, the deed is done, and they will be paid for their time!

Feeling better now :-)