rscaggs22

Those look great!!!

Have my approval but still no surgery date. Not even a call to set up my pre OP testing, Upper GI or post OP diet class. Ugh...so anxious.

Ok everyone, tell me if this is silly...I cannot wait to buy one of those cute sequined Victoria Secret "Pink" sweatsuits when I can fit into one! I know I'm 45 years old but dang it....I want one!!

I got my approval last week. I just need to get an EKG, an upper GI and labs done before surgery. Oh and a nutrition class for post OP dieting instructions. No surgery date yet tho. They said they'd be calling me this coming week or the next to give me that. Ugh...more waiting.

Got it! I had my gallbladder and appendix removed laparoscopically (2 separate surgeries) and the pain was uncomfortable but not unbearable. Just wondering if this is going to be similar. Thanks bunches!!

Question?? Is the gas from having your abdominal wall inflated with gas or is it actually in your stomach/bowels? Like do you actually pass gas for relief or does it just have to dissipate on it's own as with other laparoscopic procedures?

I'm a nurse and have been trained on the da Vinci. It is so freaking cool!!! It is really amazing. My surgeon doesn't use it but I can see how it would be very beneficial. Ahhhh technology

I wouldn't quite call it a second thought...but I did (and do!) have some nervousness about it. But I'm thinking it's fear of failure, fear of the unknown, all that. I've been fat for so long...I don't know who the skinny girl is anymore. Weird, huh?

Lol generic date....not genetic!

Question?? I just received my approval (yay me!!) and the date insurance gave me was 10/29. Is this just a genetic date the surgeons office gives for precept purposes or is this the actual date? The insurance gal for my surgeons office is out until Monday. I need to put in for my 2 weeks off with my job and would love a concrete date! (I still have my upper GI, EKG and pre OP labs to do).

I've been approved!!! My tentative date is 10/29! I'm in shock now... I have to get my labs, EKG and upper GI along with one more class about diet post OP. Oh boy... This is really happening!

I got my approval!!!! Don't know my surgery date for sure but the "tentative date" is 10/29.

Why were you denied??

Ok. So per Anthem they definitely do not have my clinicals. Called my surgeons office and the insurance gal is out until Monday and no one else can refax my documents. I asked and was told "we aren't going to go into her office rifling around in her paperwork...". Wow. Ok.... I'm very frustrated right now. This insurance gal has been full of excuses and explanations why things have been delayed. This Friday will be 3 weeks since my last surgeon consult and nothing has been received yet. First it was she wasn't sure which procedure I had decided on (even though it was in the dictation). Oh the sleeve? Ok, I will send it right over. (This was my first inquiry as to why my stuff hadn't been sent). Second time I was told that the Availity online submission program wasn't accepting my documentation for "some reason". So she had to fax the stuff and she said she did that last Friday. Got my pending letter from Anthem stating no supporting documentation. They have not received a fax. Called the office today, she's out, no one else can do it but the office manager said " she sent everything thru Availity". Uh no...ran thru the whole sequence of events and she didn't know what to say. So more waiting for me. I know ppl say the insurance companies are the hard part but my reps have been very helpful and encouraging. Sorry this post is so long- I just really needed to vent.

Ugh. Another set back..letter from insurance today states my approval is "pending" because they do not have md notes, diagnostic testing, methods and dates of documented weight loss attempts. Per my surgeon, I was required to do the 6 month md monitored weight loss attempt. So I did the 6 months of classes, had the psych and dietitian clearances. What else do they need?? Or did my surgeons office not submit it all?? I'm calling tomorrow and hopefully they have received this letter as well and already fixed the issue.

I'm in the same boat. I've been calling insurance every couple of days to see if my info was received. My docs office said they were having trouble with the Availity website and had to fax my records in to Anthem. Anthem has it and it's still pending but they made mention of an October 29th date. But from reading other posts, I'm assuming this is a generic date. I was sort of hoping this is an accurate date. Only preop testing I have is a class, labs and an upper GI. All of which was explained to be easy to complete and not hard to schedule. The "weight" is killing me!!

MistorMimi I also work in healthcare and made sure to find out what my plan covered, what their requirements were, etc before even contacting a bariatric surgeon. I think some ppl just do not know they can or should do this.

How long did you wait to get your approval and who is your insurance with? Oh and CONGRATS!!!!

I think insurance companies have finally realized it's cheaper to pay for one surgery than a lifetime of treating comorbidities. Keep us posted on your PSY eval

So I couldn't wait. Called Anthem this morning-still nothing from surgeons office. Grrrrr....called surgeon and talked to the insurance gal . Dr hadn't signed off on dictation yet and she wasn't sure if the sleeve was the procedure I had opted for (even tho he said it in the dictation). So I verified tvat was the plan and she said it would go over to Anthem today. I'm glad I called!! Who knows how long it would've sat there...

That's a good idea. Or, as my husband suggests, just be patient and wait. Lol ya right!!!

I called my insurance today...just to see if they had received anything from my surgeon's office. Nothing... I fought the urge to call the insurance gal at the surgeons office and ask her what the hold up was ?!?! She told me last Friday she would send everything over Monday. But it's just been 1 day. Maybe the doc was late getting his dictation done from my appointment Friday. Ugh. I'm rambling. Am I being too anxious if I call Anthem again tomorrow??

Yes! Let's post our insurance response with the time it took for our answers!! Fingers crossed got everyone

Congrats!!! I met with my surgeon today and they are submitting to my insurance on Monday. I have Anthem. The insurance gal assured me I shldnt have any issues getting approved but I won't breath easy until I have the OK! I still need an EKG and a Barium swallow (upper GI) but doc says that's easy. Fingers crossed Anthem gets it don't quickly!!!

Hi everyone!! I've met my 6 month of documented weight loss ( I have Anthem) passed my psych eval and meet once more with my surgeon this coming Friday to make the final "plans " ( I'm still undecided if a sleeve or RNY is what I want to do). Then off to insurance. I have no comorbidities but have a BMI of 52, so hoping that's enough for a YES!! I, too, have met my deductible and am hopeful I can get in before the year is up.