KristinaRN 54 Posted June 22, 2011 I have finally completed all of the requirements and jumped through all of the hoops, and my file was submitted to my insurance company today! I will be waiting on pins and needles until I get that approval! How long does it usually take to get an answer? And once approved, how far out was your surgery scheduled? Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wishes 125 Posted June 22, 2011 It can take anywhere from 24 hours to a month. It depends on the insurance company. Though, people with UHC, from what I have heard, normally hear back with a week. Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RSREED53 4 Posted June 22, 2011 I have finally completed all of the requirements and jumped through all of the hoops, and my file was submitted to my insurance company today! I will be waiting on pins and needles until I get that approval! How long does it usually take to get an answer? And once approved, how far out was your surgery scheduled? Thanks! Ins companies vary, but once papers are received and processed, and auth usually takes 10-15 business days. Once the auth is granted, it is up to the surgeon to schedule and set up your surgery date that must be at least another 2 weeks after the dr has you scheduled for surgery. You will be placed on a Preop Diet for the 2 weeks in order to shrink your liver and basically detox the body of fats/carbs that have been in your system--you will feel much better in recovery from doing the PreOp Diet. Good luck with everything. Ronda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Douceur72 3 Posted June 22, 2011 I have Aetna and it was exactly 7 days from submission to approval. good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KristinaRN 54 Posted June 23, 2011 Thanks for the replies everyone! I am so nervous, need to keep busy and try not to think about it. I have met all of their requirements, and my surgeon submitted a letter stating he thinks I am a perfect candidate for this procedure, so hopefully the answer will be positive! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewKat 1 Posted June 23, 2011 Mine was submitted Monday. I am on pins and needles too! I am so afraid something will go wrong. I have not done very well on the 6 months diet. I went to the doctor every month, but have only lost a tolal of 8 lbs. I keep thinking that they will understand that if I could do this on my own, I would not be asking for approval.I am trying to focus on just getting the word that it has been approved, but the fear of the surgery itself still sneaks in too. i hope you hear soon that everything is ready and you get your date very soon. Kathy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DawnOfANewMe 3 Posted June 23, 2011 KristinaRN, I have Cigna and my paperwork was submitted on Good Friday in the afternoon. I had my answer by Monday afternoon of the following week. I am still waiting for my surgery, however, as my surgeon is just so busy his first open appointment was July 5 which has now been pushed back to July 7th. Dawn I have finally completed all of the requirements and jumped through all of the hoops, and my file was submitted to my insurance company today! I will be waiting on pins and needles until I get that approval! How long does it usually take to get an answer? And once approved, how far out was your surgery scheduled? Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Texasmom65 23 Posted June 23, 2011 What insurance do you have? Mine was submitted on 6-6 and was approved on 6-7. Of course I didn't know this, so I had called a week later (to my insurance company for status) and was told I was approved on the 7th. Of course I got my letter in the mail the next day. LOL Find out how your paperwork was submitted. If faxed in, call your ins today to check status/to make sure they got the paperwork. Once they tell you if you are approved or denied, ask them to fax you a copy of the letter. I have BCBS of Texas. They were very nice and faxed me and my surgeon a letter and congratulated me too. :-) BTW, I do medical billing for a living, so call them daily if you want too. Don't be scared of your insurance company. Ask questions, they don't mind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeahG 16 Posted June 23, 2011 The only type of approval I needed was for the insurance department of the hospital to call BCBS and "verify my benefits." I was instantly approved. It took my insurance lady maybe 3 hours to call me back and let me know. I was approved last friday, and since my suregon is out of town this week, I won't be able to schedule anything until Monday because he has to sign off on my chart. Everyone is definitely different with how long it takes in this process. Mine, luckily, has been very speedy! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RSREED53 4 Posted June 23, 2011 Mine was the culmination of 4 years trying to get my revision surgery done. Just so happy I finally had the surgery on 5/31. I went through a bunch of hell in order to get this surgery. You just have to never give up and always stay on top of each level of progress in your treatment and care. Ronda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
readyforachange38 0 Posted June 24, 2011 Mine was being sent to the insurance company today!! I am so nervous. I have done everything that is required of me so I hope the approval is not a problem. I already have my surgery date for July 19th. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RSREED53 4 Posted June 24, 2011 With you having a surgery date, I would think your auth should be in place very soon. Good luck. Ronda Mine was being sent to the insurance company today!! I am so nervous. I have done everything that is required of me so I hope the approval is not a problem. I already have my surgery date for July 19th. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites