DaisyBell

OhSoNique, I had called the insurance to see what the requirements were and was told only "medical necessity." I specifically asked during the phone call were there any requirements such as psych eval, weight counseling, nutritional counseling and was told that medical necessity was the only requirement. The Bariatric Coordinator for my surgeon had also verified (by phone) what were the requirements and she was told "medical necessity" was the only requirement. So, that was the information we started with and then they came up with the nutritionist thing. Another girl at my work who had the band had to have emergency gallbladder surgery and the surgeon unfastened her band because it had slipped. Evidently, once they slip the likelihood of the band slipping again is much greater. She is looking to do a sleeve. When she had the band surgery she only had to have a sleep study. Same insurance now wants her to go to nutritionist before they will approve the surgery. It appears the rules change at their discretion.

So, I called my insurance Tuesday to see if they had received the request to approve the surgery and they did not have a record of it. Ok, so I called the Bariatric Coordinator and she resent it with a note "2nd Request" and the next day she received a voicemail from the insurance that I met all criteria but I had to go through nutritional counseling. I was so frustrated! Both she and I had called and there were no pre-requsites only medical necessity. So, she called the insurance company back and they have not returned her call as of this afternoon. I have also reached out to our HR Benefits Director to check on this as both myself and the Bariatric Coordinator were told that there were no pre-requisites. I specifically asked was there anything else needed such as psych eval, nutritional counseling, etc. and they say no...just medical necessity. So, still waiting for an answer. Please keep me in your prayers that this will get cleared up quickly.

Breathtaking beauty! I would love your "backyard" too!

I sure hope it all works out well for you. Keep us posted on your visit to the surgeon.

Sounds like you are on the right path with a good doctor. Hope it all works out okay.

So, here is how I fixed my Plantar Fasciaitis. Simple fix and it worked. Not only for me but for two others at work. I tried braces but they did not help. Inserts for arch support did not help. Get some athletic tape (Walmart has the package of 3 rolls in a box). Each morning wrap around the arch of your foot, just one wrap, starting on the inside just above your arch and wrap over top of foot and around coming back up to the top of the foot and cut the tape. You want to make sure the direction of the wrap pulls the arch in an upward direction for support I wore the tape all day and in the evening after my bath I put new tape back on. It helps to put a sock on to sleep as the tape will sometimes roll up at night. This method actually is a very inexpensive arch support and helps to relieve the stress so your foot can heal.

Sounds like that surgeon is in it for the dollars and not your health. The insurance must trust the one they recommended or he wouldn't have such a high approval rate. I would check with the recommended surgeons office and see what they way. Ask for some names of people that have had the surgery that you could talk to about their thoughts and experience with him. My surgeon holds information sessions once a month and that was my first step to see what he said regarding the different types of surgery. He is also the surgeon that did my sisters and nephews surgeries so I know some history on his work. Also, he is the one my daughter recommends and she is an OR nurse in the same hospital and does many surgeries with him. I am sure you can find information about the other surgeon. Also, maybe this is God's way of keeping you from going to the wrong surgeon. You may have had problems if you had went to someone who was in it for the money and not your health.

Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. The waiting to hear from the insurance is going to seem like an eternity. But in due time it will all workout.

Mine was submitted last Wednesday, Aug. 13th so now the waiting begins. A girl at work has had hers submitted for almost a month. When she called to check on it, about 10 days ago, they told her they have 30 days to make their decision and because she didn't have cancer they can take the entire 30 days. Absolutely horrible that the insurance company can be so insensitive to peoples health needs. It is all about money after all...