Hello fellow Hoosiers!!!! Is anyone else seeing surgeon Dr. James Bradley Ray for their Lap Band in Bloomington/Monroe County area? I am still in Insurance Pergatory at the Pre-Op stage right now. Made the decision (or rather finally agreed with my PCP that this was necessary) and got the referral in March 08. Saw Dr. Ray for first consultation in June 08. Six month PCP monitored diet, Psyc and nutritionist evaluation done. Insurance declined due to "PCP notes not specific enough". Can you believe that??!! It's almost as if the insurance company is waiting for my deductible to expire! Dr. Ray's staff is awesome. Very supportive. I love the support group. Can't wait to get this ball rolling already!!!!!

Anyone else out there with Dr. Ray farther along than me? Would love to hear about your experience.:thumbup:

Hi,

Dr. Ray did my surgery last November 3rd. I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Ray and his staff. I'm down around 50lbs. since my surgery and have had no problems.

I was initially denied by my insurance as well. They said that they "wanted more info" from my PCP. Dr. Ray's office worked with a lawyer out in California, Obesity Law, I think. There was no charge for any of the appeal work...

I was told by someone I go to church with, who had gastric bypass surgery, that it would take a year to get it through insurance and he was right.

Good Luck,

Adam

Hi,

Dr. Ray did my surgery last November 3rd. I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Ray and his staff. I'm down around 50lbs. since my surgery and have had no problems.

I was initially denied by my insurance as well. They said that they "wanted more info" from my PCP. Dr. Ray's office worked with a lawyer out in California, Obesity Law, I think. There was no charge for any of the appeal work...

I was told by someone I go to church with, who had gastric bypass surgery, that it would take a year to get it through insurance and he was right.

Good Luck,

Adam

Thank you! It is encouraging to hear that it finally all fell into place for you. It gives me hope! :w00t: Congrats on your progress so far, and best of luck for loss continuing!

Hi, I'm going to Dr. Ray. We are just getting ready to send my paper work to the insurance for approval. If you don't mind me aking who is you insurance with? I am so scared my physician didn't put enough notes in my file. I also went to a registered dietician for 3 months. I have Aetna insurance.

Hi, I'm going to Dr. Ray. We are just getting ready to send my paper work to the insurance for approval. If you don't mind me aking who is you insurance with? I am so scared my physician didn't put enough notes in my file. I also went to a registered dietician for 3 months. I have Aetna insurance.

I have BCBS of ILLINOIS. They have been pretty tough so far. It has been a year now since my PCP referred me to Dr. Ray, and I had my first consult with him in June 08. I did the 6 month thing with my PCP, and the Psych and Dietician appts with Dr. Rays office. I was declined by my the ins. co because the notes for the 6 month thing with my PCP were not specific enough for them. Right now I am working with an attorney advocate for an appeal. I do clearly qualify, BCBS is just being really persnickety about the i's being dotted and the t's being crossed. :w00t: Anyway, I cannot exercise because of a back injury. So, I'm just waiting......and waiting......and waiting........and trying to eat less and get some weight off.

I hope your experience goes smoother. Do you go to Dr. Ray's office for Lap Band Support Group? I look so forward to that. It makes me feel like I am still actively doing something to move forward in the process, and I am also learning a lot about living with the Lap Band so when my time does come, I will be an expert!!!!:thumbup:

I had my first consultation with Dr. Ray on 12/07. I had some personal issues so I didn't start my 6 month program with my PCP UNTIL 10/08. My PCP referred me to a registered dietician for 3 months. So I have paperwork from my PCP and my dietician. We documented my diet and exercise program for the 6 months. Ashlee, at Dr. Rays office, received my paperwork and said it looks good and has high hopes things will go thru smoothly. I sure hope so. I live about an hour away from Bloomington so I haven't attended the support groups. I also hope you get approved soon. Have a good day...

I was denied!:ohmy:

This is really worrying me that this is going to be a horrible experience trying to get approved.

UPDATE!!!!! I FINALLY GOT AN APPROVAL LETTER!!!!!:mad2:

CONGRATULATIONS!! I wish you the best!! I just hope it doesn't take me as long as it took you to get approved! Keep me updated okay?

UPDATE!!!!! I FINALLY GOT AN APPROVAL LETTER!!!!!:thumbup:

UPDATE TO MY UPDATE ! MY SURGERY DATE IS JUNE 19th!

That is great!! Keep me updated. I found out today my appeal has been denied. Were you denied once or twice before being approved?

Hi everyone. Doc banded me on 5/28/09. So here we go any advice you guys got I will take LOL

I FINALLY GOT APPROVED FOR SURGERY!! I JUST FOUND OUT TODAY!! YAY!!!!:wink:

congrads!!! I am still doin good and do what they say and you be ok.

Thanks! I'm glad you are still doing good. I'll do exactly as they say. I've waited too long to screw this up. Take care...