typically how long for insurance approval

[NewMary83 52]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum, but in the short time I have been on here I am so inspired and even more excited for my surgery! Tomorrow is my final dietician appointment and that should be submitted to my doctors office and then its waiting for the insurance approval! I am so excited now I am bursting at the seems! I just want my surgery date! I am so worried that something will keep me from approval! I am definetly obese and my BMI is well in the required area however I do not really have any other comorbitities (yet!) I am also wondering about asking for time off from work. any advice and comments would be welcome!

[maggie0210 117]

This is a very hard topic. Depends on the insurance company and what your doctor submits. I had health issues that complicated mine, so I had to submit to insurance twice before approval. It took almost a year. If your'e not sick it should go much more quickly. Good luck!

[tphillips124 6]

I had to submit twice to insurance too but the first time I submitted I did not have the required 6 months with my pcp. I resubmitted and got approval in a little over 2 weeks. I do have other health issues also.

[anaxila 501]

Mine took about 2.5 weeks. I was advised to expect about 2 weeks, but the Thanksgiving holiday put them a bit behind schedule. Longest 2.5 weeks of my life.

As for time off work, it really depends on the size of your company and your benefits plan. If your company has more than 50 employees, you are entitled to FMLA leave that should take the begging / pleading for time off out of the picture. Likewise, if your benefits package includes short-term disability that would also be something to look into. Good luck!

Edited December 31, 2014 by anaxila

[iheart_me 3]

Hi Mary I am in the same situation right now. Please keep me up to date with your results. I'm worried as well. For time off I do plan to use my FMLA.

Edited January 14, 2015 by iheart_me

[NewMary83 52]

Hi Mary I am in the same situation right now. Please keep me up to date with your results. I'm worried as well. For time off I do plan to use my FMLA.

Hi so I actually got the call on wed that my insurance was approved!! I go on Monday for my surgery date! It took a total of 7 business days! I hope yours goes as quickly! How do you use fmla? Do you know? I am so new at needing time off, but it's my understanding that things are going to move fast now and I could be looking at a surgery date as early as the first week of February! Good luck to you! Keep me posted! It would be cool if we are close in dates to have someone to take this journey with

[ktbbailey77 3]

Took me a week and a half to get approved the second time but the first time i was approved i lost that coverage a week after i was approved ......but it doesn't take long as long as you get all of the requirements good luck!

[whiterabbit 2]

Took me two weeks. I think it helped that my insurance is also my doctors. We have Group Health.