I finally called my surgeon yesterday afternoon because I had not heard from them. 3 weeks ago I called to see if my PCP had sent the info to her and she said "oh yes! It's been faxed to insurance and now we just wait". Well, I didn't want to be a pest, but I finally called. She apparently "mistook" me for another patient, and I don't have all my stuff ready to send to the insurance.. namely my PCP has not sent the letter, and I haven't had the psych eval. (I thought they would tell me what I needed to do.. yes, I need a little hand holding i guess) I was so mad and I didn't want to say anything that I would regret that I just hung up. She didn't even apologize for her mistake! Grrrr.

Anyway, for all you out there, don't just sit back and "wait". I guess you have to check and keep checking that things are being done. Monday I have to .. call PCP office, call surgeon office to find out what the heck to do about the psych eval.

(HUGH sigh).. I'm very disappointed, but now I know to keep up with myself:crying:

DEFINITELY don't wait. I am the same way...don't want to make anyone mad but... EXAMPLE:

My surgery coordinator told me we would know something by Friday. I waited as long as I could and finally called about 10 a.m. yesterday. I asked if we had heard anything yet. She said no, that she had not had time to file it yet but would do it in the afternoon. Well, I was crushed but said okay. I got off the phone and called DH and he said, well did you ask if she would call you this afternoon to let you know (she said in our 1st interview that it takes 5 minutes to get an answer). So, I called back about 1 p.m. and told her I didn't want to be a pest but would we have an answer this afternoon after she filed. Now HERE'S THE IMPORTANT PART: She said, I went ahead and filed it after you called me this morning and they have approved it! :tongue2:

So, see, calling helps! :w00t:

Thanks Missy. I definately have learned a hugh lesson.

Keep tabs on them!! In a sense, you are the customer, and they(dr.s office) are providing a service to you...this is their job and they are getting paid for it, so insist on great service and results!!! Don't get discouraged and hang in there!

Nuali

I'm sorry the mistake was made, but it was good that you followed-up to clarify things. It's hard to remember that the office staff are human. I know how much paperwork it was for me -- imagine handling it for EVERY patient!

Still -- here's hoping that your paperwork will be submitted soon. Hang in there -- it's worth it!!

I finally called my surgeon yesterday afternoon because I had not heard from them. 3 weeks ago I called to see if my PCP had sent the info to her and she said "oh yes! It's been faxed to insurance and now we just wait". Well, I didn't want to be a pest, but I finally called. She apparently "mistook" me for another patient, and I don't have all my stuff ready to send to the insurance.. namely my PCP has not sent the letter, and I haven't had the psych eval. (I thought they would tell me what I needed to do.. yes, I need a little hand holding i guess) I was so mad and I didn't want to say anything that I would regret that I just hung up. She didn't even apologize for her mistake! Grrrr.

Anyway, for all you out there, don't just sit back and "wait". I guess you have to check and keep checking that things are being done. Monday I have to .. call PCP office, call surgeon office to find out what the heck to do about the psych eval.

(HUGH sigh).. I'm very disappointed, but now I know to keep up with myself:crying:

Oh my goodness...I am in the same boat...I call my surgical center like every other day...like hello it's stalker Katrina how r u doing... have u all received everything yet? I'm sure after it's all over with we will all become great friends......lol but yes u do have to call, call, check up and call again.. because its for u not them... so if they put your file on the counter and forget to sent papers over who r they hurting u not themselves....:grouphug:

Oh, I definately kept on top of my doctor's office. I called every week and told the coordinator that I needed to know so that I could schedule my sugery with my job. I had to put in for the time off and my job requires at least three notice for the days I needed. I also was told that my PCP letter had not been forwarded to them and when I called my PCP the nurse who had faxed it over back in October told me that she had done it once, but she would do it again. I believe they have so many patients that they forget who is who and misplace paperwork. Anyway, hang in there because in the end the frustration will be so small and looking back I think we will say it was well worth it.

The lady that is teaching my nutrition and weight management class told us during the first night that we needed to stay on top of things. Call them every couple of weeks to make sure things are moving. I'm with Kaiser so it's all done in-house but reports have to be sent back and forth. Like if you have your psych eval, wait a couple of weeks and then check to make sure the report was sent. If your PCP said they'd send the app to the surgeon, call them in a couple of weeks to make sure they did send it. That kind of thing. She told us that we can't wait for them to call us or just figure it got mysteriously taken care of.

You have to be proactive. Don't be a pain in the butt but definitely follow through.. and be NICE!! :smile2: This statement is NOT directed at any one person, I don't think any one has done that but it's just a general statement. I know we get frustrated when things aren't moving like we think they should. We just have to remember that they are human and we are one of many, many, many patients.

Hang in there!

I'm sorry the mistake was made, but it was good that you followed-up to clarify things. It's hard to remember that the office staff are human. I know how much paperwork it was for me -- imagine handling it for EVERY patient!

Still -- here's hoping that your paperwork will be submitted soon. Hang in there -- it's worth it!!

OK I just love your slogan shrinko de mayo!!! It is almost here!

I agree, I was a pest and called or emailed constantly!!!!

Good Luck everyone

I was able to get everything done in a week. My tip? Ask for copies of everything yourself. Be extra nice to each doc appt. I made "friends" with the psych doc's staff. They actually typed up the letter while I waited and then I asked them to fax it while I was there and give me a copy because "you know how those offices are...always losing things". Win them over with some humor. I did the same for my PCP. I wrote the letter for him and said SIGN THIS, and fax to blah blah. I then went to the nutritionist and also waited for the report. I called the surgeon's office every day. It took 1 week total from initial consult to approval. When I spoke to the coordinator at the surgeon's office and apologized for being a pest she said "actually I APPRECIATE all the follow up. Many patients dont realize how much paperwork we deal with and expect us to do everything and it is impossible. By you taking the lead in following up and getting all of your appointments done, you have shown us your true interest in yourself and your health and that is absolutely wonderful". Don't sit around and wait. Now when I call, they know my name just by my voice lol! Of course I joke and am always friendly so they see me as a friend:thumbup: