IMSKINNY 160 Posted June 28, 2012 Paperwork was submitted to the insurer a week ago. I called this AM to check the status. I was told in a very condescending voice by the reviewing nurse that this process would take 'a very long time.' She said that she was waiting on a call from the medical examiner because she wanted to discuss with him what to ask my surgeon's office about other weightloss programs that I have tried. I said well, next week is a holiday week and I just wanted an update before people went on vacations, etc. She said oh, you won't hear anything next week! This process takes a very long time. WTH?! Do these people sound like they are looking for a reason not to approve me or what? I began this process in February! Because I anticipated this foolishness, I contacted Dr. Alvarez in Mexico! Susan, his coordinator, said by the time those folks at the insurance company figure out what's going on, you'll be halfway to your goal weight! I paid my deposit... 1 nabird77 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cindy H 6 Posted June 29, 2012 Good for you! Congratulations! Stupid insurance companies.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lissa 2,631 Posted June 29, 2012 I hate insurance companies! Our having this surgery only saves them money in the long run!! They should be begging anyone who has a BMI over 30 to have WLS instead of doing the deny, deny, deny dance. It kinda looks like the hokey pokey, but you have to force them to put "one hand in"! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IMSKINNY 160 Posted June 29, 2012 I felt like telling the nurse if you don't pay for the surgery, you will be paying for knee replacement surgery in the not too distant future! One way or another, you will pay! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IMSKINNY 160 Posted July 4, 2012 Hey, guys, guess what? I was driving today (July 3) when my surgeon's office called and said I AM APPROVED for surgery!! OMG! I am so surprised! I had already made plans to go to MX after I spoke with the insurance company last week and they were soooo negative! I am still in shock!! Thanks to all of you for your advice and well wishes! And to everyone waiting on the insurance to respond, stay positive! It will happen! 2 newkat12 and mrsjones075 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
helleva 22 Posted July 4, 2012 Awesome news! Congrats Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IMSKINNY 160 Posted July 4, 2012 Awesome news! Congrats <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> Thanks, helleva! You just got approved too, didn't you? Do you have a surgery date yet? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Almostthere34 128 Posted July 4, 2012 Hey' date=' guys, guess what? I was driving today (July 3) when my surgeon's office called and said I AM APPROVED for surgery!! OMG! I am so surprised! I had already made plans to go to MX after I spoke with the insurance company last week and they were soooo negative! I am still in shock!! Thanks to all of you for your advice and well wishes! And to everyone waiting on the insurance to respond, stay positive! It will happen![/quote'] So are you going to Mexico or staying in the Us? I kind of wish I had gone to Mexico. My us surgeon rocks but my deposit of $5000 would have been my total had I gone to Mexico. What a great dilemma? Congrats on your approvals! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IMSKINNY 160 Posted July 4, 2012 So are you going to Mexico or staying in the Us? I kind of wish I had gone to Mexico. My us surgeon rocks but my deposit of 5000 would have been my total had I gone to Mexico. What a great dilemma? Congrats on your approvals! Thanks for asking, Amostthere34! You're right! It is a good problem to have! But, in all honesty, I will only pay 900 out of pocket now that the procedure is covered. Even though my surgeon is out of my network, she has agreed to waive any difference in what the insurer pays and her fee. I can save the 8700 that I would self pay in MX for clothes and plastic surgery! But, believe me, if this hadn't worked out, I was going to MX! ...in a NY minute!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
helleva 22 Posted July 4, 2012 Hi IMSKINNY, It's so confusing when it comes to insurance. I do have a date, July 24th but after talking to my coordinator Tuesday it might change. She has gotten me approved for the bypass and now needs to clear it for the sleeve. I can't get my pre-ops until she has it approved. Idk?? I just want it done already. I hate waiting lol. I am happy that you are approved and didn't have to spend more $$ in Mexico. I was looking into as well but was quite iffy because of different experiences that I had read. Well cheers to us ♡ Denise Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IMSKINNY 160 Posted July 4, 2012 Hi IMSKINNY' date=' It's so confusing when it comes to insurance. I do have a date, July 24th but after talking to my coordinator Tuesday it might change. She has gotten me approved for the bypass and now needs to clear it for the sleeve. I can't get my pre-ops until she has it approved. Idk?? I just want it done already. I hate waiting lol. I am happy that you are approved and didn't have to spend more in Mexico. I was looking into as well but was quite iffy because of different experiences that I had read. Well cheers to us ♡ Denise[/quote'] Thanks, helleva! If your insurer has approved the bypass, why wouldn't they approve the sleeve? I'm sur that will wirk out too! You're right! This insurance thing has no rhyme or reason! I really had written the insurance company off! That's why I'm still shocked! I hate waiting too, especially waiting and doing nothing! I wasn't as stressed when I was still going to my monthly visits and doing all this stuff in between, but when the visits stopped and it was just waiting on someone else to take the next step, I thought I would go crazy! I tried not to worry about the 'ifs' with the MX process. I just focused on the result. Glad we are almost there! You're right! Cheers to us.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
helleva 22 Posted July 4, 2012 I hope so please keep us posted on your surgery date. Have a great day! Denise Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
