Awaiting the Bandit

[Ducker 59]

So...I felt so confident walking into Dr. Naim's office in Tustin, CA after they told me that my insurance covered the banding procedure! It was clean, professional, and the staff were all so respectful and kind. And they seemed to be so efficient! Met the surgeon, consulted with their in-house physician (I assume in lieu of my own PCP), completed a psych eval, follow-up with the physcian for dietary and exercise guidelines to follow, and scheduled a sleep study (since my BMI was only 35.7 with no co-morbidities. ALL IN THE FIRST APPOINTMENT!! WOW! I thought, they really handle business!!! Wrong. The tech did not show up for my sleep study on the scheduled night. What an inconvenience after leaving work early and making arrangements for my dogs! I was FURIOUS!!! They were very apologetic and we rescheduled. I completed the sleep study, and at the follow-up appointment, the doctor reviewed the results that showed no sleep apnea. I was prepared for the big let down that my insurance would not approve. However, that never happened. Instead, they sheduled my for a GI consult coming up next week on Feb. 15th. I know all of these pre-surgery evaluations and studies are not costing me anything. But, I also know that surgeons and doctors do not work for free. I am fearful that I am doing all this for nothing, only to be denied approval by BCBS California. Would they really go through all of this only for a denial, only to waste my time????

[Amanda1982 142]

I know how you feel, but Unfortunately they have to submit everything (test included) to the insurance company for approval. United Health Care told me the reason I was approved so quickly (2 days after they submitted everything instead of the 10 days) was beacuse the sugeon submitted everything required. Good Luck!

[Ducker 59]

I understand that, but wouldn't they want to make sure I was approved before doing the GI procedure?

[Ducker 59]

I understand that, but wouldn't they want to make sure I was approved before doing the GI procedure?