I'm right there with you. The first week went by, and I called the dr's office to see if there was news from insurance, they hadn't even submitted yet! Then I couldn't get an answer from the insurance company on the progress, and couldn't get a return call from the dr's coordinator. Last Tuesday (3 weeks since meeting the surgeon, dietician and physical therapist) I got a letter in the mail from insurance that was approved. Nothing from the dr's office. I waited until today, still nothing. I called this morning at 10:30 and the coordinator actually answered her phone. Long story short, she said they didn't receive anything from the insurance company, but it might be out in the mail, she'd have to go check. If it's not there, she'll call the provider's number to get the billing code and give my file to the nurse practitioner who's currently in surgery and she'll call me to star scheduling the pre-op tests and explaining the next steps and what to expect.

I'm with you on the waiting, I'm not good at it either. I feel like I've been pushing a rope trying to get this moving!

Good luck. It will happen, and it WILL BE GOOD NEWS!

Hey,

Hang in there ladies. I was obsessed with the approval process. I called the coordinator on a regular basis and the insurance company (BCBSIL). Now, first of all, that obsessive calling (little exaggeration there) is not my typical MO (Method of Operations) however I felt I needed to make it happen. I need to stop waiting on people to do what they are "supposed" to do anyway. I respect professionals as I am one too but even in my work, as good as I may think I am, people will "obsessively" call me for follow up. You know what, they get quicker responses.

Remember the insurance company is easier to call because they are an "entity." The same person is highly unlikely to answer the phone, plus, it is the insurance company to want to speak to now.

When I did find out I was approved, I asked the insurance company to fax me approval letter and then I faxed it to the coordinator. I save about a week of waiting.

I am tired of being passive in this thing called life. I decided to be more involved. The insurance company told me when and what they rec'd from the patient coordinator. They told me when it was under review. Yes, they say a week or so but it really takes them a couple of days. I got stalled a bit because they did ask for additional informaiton. Around that time the patient coordinator was out for a few days (holiday). When I talked to her she resubmitted referral.

The point I'm making is make it happen for yourselves. I could not imagine being denied. I said if I was, then I am going down knowing I did what I could to get approved....involved in the process. I also sent my own letter to the insurance company. I don't know if it made a difference or not. I wrote out an Affidavit of My Weight Loss Experience.....had it notarized. I told myself I needed...NEEDED to feel I did all I could to make it happen. I felt obsessive...and I use that word because I have never focused so much energy on something for MYSELF (maybe others but never me).

Be encouraged and if you feel something in your heart will make a difference...do it.

BCBSIL told me when they rec'd info from doctor's office and that helped me. My patient coordinator had told me she submitted something weeks earlier....and she either didn't (which I believe she did not) or insurance company did not receive it. If I did not not take steps on my own....I could still be waiting.