the waiting game

[zet 0]

How long does it take for you to find out if your insurance will cover the surgery? Do I call and bug the drs office that is doing it? They are supposed to be in the predetermination part of it. Grrrrrrr.....

[anonemouse 1]

I think it just depends on the insurance. If you have gotten all of your medical records and letters from doctors to the surgeon's office, they should be able to send out everything relatively quickly, I would think. I just faxed all my stuff to my surgeon yesterday, and my doctors were supposed to send out my records and their letters to the surgeon last week.

[sleepyjean 0]

I was fully prepared to wait a month or more for my authorization to come through. My surgeon's office really has it together though and they've got a great relationship with my HMO (Blue cross). My authorization came through in less than 48 hours. It was pretty unbelieveable. You'll get there. Hang on! Just think how much lighter you'll be this time next year.

[piercedqt78 658]

Once you submit to the insurance they have 30 days to respond in most states. Some take 30 days some send a decision within a week. I would start calling the insurance as soon as you have been told it was submitted. Always write down who you talked to, when and what about, you might need it later. I would call and see if you can find out who is handleing the decision on your case and call them directly if possible. I had to deal with a regular phone person, not the case manager, but I always talked to the same person, that way she was familiar with the case and didn't have to read all the notes with each call. She was so excited that she personally called me when I was approved. She had made it a habit of checking my file everyday, I mean we talked for over 6 months while I appealed and appealed and appealed. ~Mandy