Tropicana

I want to go check out whether I have sleep apnea or not. I don't need a referral with my insurance company so if anyone has any recommendations that would be great. (Especially those in the UHC network)

Who was I kidding? My BMi wasn't high enough and I had no comorbidities. Oh well.

I'm a grad student. I live solely off of financial aid. I have no assets and getting a job, even part time, isn't an option right now. I could get more financial aid money but I'm already $60K in the hole. No need to add to it. If i can't get insurance to cover it, I will have to lose weight the traditional way.

Wow. Okay, well I will continue with my healthy lifestyle and still go and see my lapband doctor. I am still seriously thinking about getting a new physician though.

I had no idea the process was that intensive. How long did it take from your very first visit to when you were approved?

Yup yup, back to Weight Watchers.

Hmmm........

I reported everything I could think of but it didn't seem to sway them. I am getting a copy of my insurance benefits mailed to me from HR and really go through it. I have 6 months of failed diet (WW) but no doctor's verification. I just went to the meetings and have the little booklet they fill out. I haven't gotten any sleep tests or cholesterol checked but I probably don't have high cholesterol or diabetes since I don't have a family history of that going back 3 generations. The sleep tests might come out in my favor, however. So I will schedule that. Self pay is not an option for me. One thought, does the insurance company frown on the idea of switching doctors? I really don't have much confidence in the paperwork my first doctor sent. If I go to a different lapband doctor, you think I will have more of a chance or do I have to stick with the same doctor for a second appeal? How many times can you appeal?

......that I don't have. How do you people wait for 30 days?? Seriously? I swear if my insurance company doesn't have answer soon I'm going to go nuts. Tomorrow is Monday so maybe...just maybe. I'm also wondering if there is anything I can do right now while waiting? Take blood tests? A sleep study? I have a PPO so I don't need referrals for anything.

Okay this woman's profile gave me hope: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=G1090446441 But I reeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaally don't want to wait five months.

A persistent cough could be a myriad of things completely unrelated to your band. For instance, you could have "walking pneumonia." If it is really bothering you, I would call a family practioner to listen to your lungs and run some tests. You can see a doctor where ever you want. But most insurances will not cover doctors out of their network and Mexico is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of anybody's network.

Just wondering?

I have called my insurance carrier everyday....sometimes twice a day...trying to see if I have been approved or not. Everyday they tell me to keep waiting. I know they keep a log of when we call and what answer is given so I hope they don't think I'm a nuisance. But damn!! I really need to know! vIt's been 20 days since they got it and 13 since they've reviewed it. They ssaid 15 days to get a decision and 30 to get it in the mail...my goodness!!!

I had my stuff sent in Nov. 10 and I am still waiting for an answer *sigh* They say it will be as late as Dec. 19 since they didn't send it to Review till that date.

Once you had the surgery, how long did it take you to recover and get back to school? if my surgery approves it, i will want to get mine during the Xmas or spring break holiday.

Here is a sggestion on how to make this board even more valuable than it already is. In the Insurance forum, can we have a list with members who paid for the surgery through their insurance with the date, the insurance, their BMI submitted to the insurance and any comorbidities? kind of like how obesityhelp does it? I didn't know who to direct this to. Just a suggestion thought it might be helpful.

You guys have NO idea how much you have helped me get through this day! I was expecting to open this thread and see comments like "NO ONE EVER gets approved with less than a 40 without comorbidities" This gives me hope. I have really prayed about this and will do more praying. i will get on my knees and ask God, "If this is YOur will and if this surgery will come out well , please let me have it. If not Lord, I understand" If I don't get it I will just interpret it as a sign that I don't need it. At least not right now. i'm nervous nervous nervous

I've just never heard of anyone with less than 40 and no comorbidites getting approved. *sigh*

Was it doctor ordered? If so, I would cal him. The reason they ask you to stay on the pre op diet isn't for you to lose weight; it's so your liver will shrink enough for your stomach to be in view.

Good stuff! I wanna be a surgeon so bad.....

If you are worried about the doctors credibility I would suggest your state's medical board. You can find out some information from there. As far as your statement about his problem cases being referred to a university hospital, that could be for many reasons. i wouldn't jump to any conclusions. Some patients come with a cart full of problems, he may not have the equipment at his office or hospital, etc. Plus university hospitals tend to lean more on academic medicine.....more researchers, state of the art stuff going on.

Dilemma! When are you off mushies? Is there anyway to postpone the date?

This gives me enough hope. Maybe there is something I should be doing?? Like calling UHC every couple of days? Sending them a personal letter?

Has anybody been approved with a BMI of 37 with UHC?