parrot0927

I found out about 1 hour ago that my sugery has been approved. They have me a tenative date of 11/28/07 but that won't work with my schedule. I'm hoping 12/3/07 will be better. My surgeon only does them on Mondays and Wednesday. I am so excited. I just can't handle it. I am so surprised how quickly it was approved. I had all my appts on 11/5/07 and I got approved today! Wow! My surgeon's office said that Anthem Healthkeepers VA was fast but I didn't believe her. So now, I need my surgery date, pre-op testing, and liver shrinking diet! I am just so thrilled. Words just cannot express how excited I am. This website and all you folks have made me feel better about getting the surgery! Thanks! For those who insurance is being a pain, please do not give up! Appeal! Appeal! Appeal! God Bless!

I live near richmond. my surgery will be 12/3/07. i can't wait! good luck with yours!

wow! excellent. thanks!

I know what Tim Bits are! They are donuts or donut holes right?

I agree with dustout. You need to appeal. If you meet the guideline and it's medically necessary, they should cover it. Don't give up! Appeal! Appeal! Appeal!

I have been posting and commenting throughout. This website and everyone is great and awesome! Well, I had my PCP visit, psych visit & surgeon visit. My PCP is very excited for me. The referral lady is goofy. She sent the referral with the incorrect DX. The surgeon's office and I got her straight. UGH! My psych visit went well. The LSCW was very impressed that I was educated about the surgery. The surgeon is very nice. He is very straight forward, not too warm and fuzzy. That's okay with me. Now I wait for Anthem to approve it. I'm attending the 4 hour meeting tomorrow so as soon as it is approved, the surgery date can be set. WHOO! c:clap2:

Good luck! I can't wait for my appts on Monday. The psych doc called and told me they verified my benefits with my insurance. The psych visit is covered. I just need my pcp to do the referral. I see everyone Monday. Ugh but it will be worth it!!

My doctor is David Elliott. He is with the Richmond Surgical Group. I will be banded at Henrico Doctor's Parham Campus. I can't wait. I am counting down the days until all my appts on 11/5!

You have to do this for yourself. I am also a food addict. I am doing this for myself. I do not want to have diabetes and other health problems that are in my family's genes.

I agree with DonHoll1. Just ignore them. People like that are not worth your emotions and energy.

Wow. I have my PCP appt, psych appt, and surgeon appt on 11/5. I know that I will have to do a pre-surg diet. I'm not looking forward to that; but I know with God on my side, I will be able to do it. Can't wait until 11/5 when that day is over!

I haven't been banded yet; but I had my teenager son tell me, 'Mom, why don't you just diet like before?' I told him, 'does it look like the diets have worked? honey, when you are about 140 plus overweight, it's harder.' He still didn't get it. Ugh.

Hi! I'm in Richmond VA. I am working on getting the insurance coverage. I have my PCP, therapist, & surgery appt all on 11/5/07. I just can't wait to get started. I will keep ya'll posted as it goes!

I'm so sorry that they are doing that to you.

I just love this site! I am in the referral with PCP/insurance coverage mode right now. I can' t wait!

I'm glad to see they covered yours. I work for Anthem in VA. I had read my coverage many times. I went and spoke with the case managers/RNs just to make sure that I was reading it correctly. I appears that mine will be covered too. I just need a referral from my PCP, psych visit, etc. I can't wait!

Hi, I'm new. I hav've been to my seminar. I have my appt with my PCP for my referral on 11/5. My new insurance starts up 11/1 and they cover lapband surgery. I am sooo excited. I'm about 140 lbs overweight. That's kind of scary as that was my weight when I graduated HS about 22 years ago. Yikes. I love all the advise. Thanks so much!