Need help with understanding insurance letter

[sandy'ssleeve 7]

Please help! I am confused.....

What does it mean on the insurance approval letter when it says: "Authorization Effective Date(s): 03/08/2013-03/09/2013? Does it mean that I have to have the surgery on March 8th?

I don't get it. Thanks! Sandy

[soccermomx2 111]

Yes, mine was similar but was good for a 30 day period with surgery falling in that time frame. So that would mean you are authorized for surgery on the 8th or 9th of March.

Congrats on getting approved!!!

[UPRR Wifey 89]

You have to have that surgery on either of those dates in order for them to pay. Good luck!

[melissa130 135]

I would call and ask your insurance company to be absolutely sure. They are the only ones that truly know what that means.. and at this point you don't want to assume anything. Good luck.

[sandy'ssleeve 7]

I hope you're right soccermomx2. I would hate to have to ask my doctor to do the surgery on one of those two specific dates. I hope it all works out. I'm really nervous. Guess I will either call my insurance or talk to the bariatric insurance specialist next week. I was hoping I could relax a little now that I've been approved. LOL!

[Mystie 146]

Yeah that's weird, usually they give a much larger time frame. I'd check it out for sure.

[melissa130 135]

one quick call to the insurance company. Bariatric insurance coordinators have been wrong hundreds of times......

[youngtammy50 6]

Mine was the same way that's just a surgery date they submitted to get you approved my said Jan 25 2013-Jan 26th 2013 but my surgery is March 25th congrats on the approval

[soccermomx2 111]

Let us know what the dr's office & insurance company say.

Hopefully, the dr's office will be able to schedule your actual date very soon!!!

[sandy'ssleeve 7]

Well, I called my insurance company and asked what it meant. They said that as of now it means I have to have the surgery on March the 8th!!!!!! They said I could probably get the date changed without a problem, but I won't feel better until it's changed because I doubt I could get on the schedule that fast! Keep me in your prayers and keep your fingers crossed!

[sandy'ssleeve 7]

So, I called and spoke to my surgeon's nurse. She said not to worry because the dates 3-8-13 through 3-9-13 is the time frame they sent in to the insurance company for approval. They call it a "dummy date" because they have to send in a specific date to get the surgery approved. She said everything is fine and that they will schedule my surgery date when I go in for my preop weigh in appt. on Feb. 25th. I feel much better now. Thanks to everyone for your help. I called everyone: insurance, bariatric insurance specialist, and surgeon's office. I am glad I did. It's good to be thorough with such a delicate process. I've jumped through so many hoops; I didn't want it to be for nothing. Thanks again for all of your support. I'll keep you posted.

[soccermomx2 111]

Great to hear your getting closer!!

One of the best decisions of my life...loving my sleeve!!