Am I being taken for a ride?

[falcon 1]

Hi,

I am on day 9 of a tortuous12 day pre op diet (3 shakes a day and 2 cups of vegetables). Surgery is scheduled for 5/25/11 (3 days) but I have not received approval from insurance yet. I spoke with my surgical coordinator (Aja, from NYU, she's been a nightmare to deal with from the start) on Friday morning and she said even though it is still "pending", I should continue with the liquid pre op diet and not worry, approval would come through on time for surgery. Later that day I called Aetna and they said the reason it's still pending is because she didn't send any information at all in (other than the request). I left a message for Aja on Friday but of course didn't get through or hear back from her. Assuming she sends the info in on Monday what are the chances I'll be approved the next day? Should I drop this realllllly difficult pre op diet? I don't see how I'll be approved on time but Aja told me to do this diet, rearrange my life for the 25th and not to worry, that she's sure I'll be approved on time. What do you think?!!?

[WEESIE 5]

I am so sorry you are going through such a difficult time. I can tell you that once you get your approval it can go quickly. My insurance company told me that if I got to within a couple of days of the scheduled surgery and didn't have approval they could submit it as a rush. Maybe they will have to do that for you. Keep us updated and looking forward to being banded the same day as you.

[falcon 1]

I am so sorry you are going through such a difficult time. I can tell you that once you get your approval it can go quickly. My insurance company told me that if I got to within a couple of days of the scheduled surgery and didn't have approval they could submit it as a rush. Maybe they will have to do that for you. Keep us updated and looking forward to being banded the same day as you.

To update you, my insurance ended up coming though in two hours! Believe it or not, I still didn't have the surgery today (it's pushed off until next Wed, June 1st) because I didn't have my medical clearance completed-which no one mentioned to me until less than 24 hours before the surgery! So. . . it's on to week #3 of the liquid diet!

I have heard wonderful things about the NYU team but have so far had nothing but grief from their surgical coordinator. Hope this is not an omen for the surgery!

[Russian_BANDit_inNY 4]

Aja at NYU - Is a nightmare of the coordinator!!!

If anyone reading it - be prepared to go through hell to get all papers to insurance, clear instruction on what needs to be done, getting her to return your calls, and forget about getting anything but her voice mail.

I end up refusing to work with her, complained to the office manager ( Melissa?) who end up doing everything and was absolutely wonderful.

I guess you will have Dr Fielding for your surgeon - he is the BEST in the business!!

All this Aja trouble - will pass. Best of luck with the surgery.

[falcon 1]

Aja at NYU - Is a nightmare of the coordinator!!!

If anyone reading it - be prepared to go through hell to get all papers to insurance, clear instruction on what needs to be done, getting her to return your calls, and forget about getting anything but her voice mail.

I end up refusing to work with her, complained to the office manager ( Melissa?) who end up doing everything and was absolutely wonderful.

I guess you will have Dr Fielding for your surgeon - he is the BEST in the business!!

All this Aja trouble - will pass. Best of luck with the surgery.

I wish someone would have prepared me for dealing with Aja. She is, believe it or not, extremely courteous (if and when you ever get her on the phone) but the most incompetent, unprofessional person I have ever met. Everyone else at the office is lovely but many things they say can only go through Aja and when you call her, she doesn't pick up the phone and her mail box is always full. It took FOUR WEEKS of incessant calling to find out if she got a fax from my PCP before she finally called back and said "no, I haven't received it yet". She couldn't have called after a couple of days? That was just the tip of the iceberg. In the end, because of her, it a) took me longer to schedule my surgery and I am on this nightmare of a liquid diet for 3 (instead of 2) weeks.

I am excited to be operated on by Dr Fielding but if I had to do it again, or advise other people, I would say to do anything to avoid dealing with Aja.

Anyhow. . . surgery in 6 days (if I am not pushed off again). . .