How long did it take you to get approved?

[baileyj908 37]

I was wondering how long after your last doctors appointment did you receive your approval for surgery from your insurance. Did your doctors office have to have an internal approval before submitting? My insurance has been sitting on my case for almost 3 weeks and have not heard anything yet.

Edited November 20, 2015 by baileyj908

[queencity 62]

After seeing the Nut on Oct 6 i was approved on Oct 15. The surgeons office submitted to bcbsnc oct 12.

[nomorequitting 12]

I just had my last requirement with my surgeon today and they told me insurance would b around 3 weeks to respond which I know is a lie I don't think u shouldn't have an answer for that long.. I would call them

[lauriev 71]

My last appointment was my NUT on 10/2. I didn't hear anything through the rest of October, finally I started calling them and asking for info and then about a week and a half after my phone calls started I got the approval letter from the insurance. I called asking what my next step was and they told me they still didn't have the approval from the doctor. Needless to say they got on board, I have my surgery date and have scheduled my ultrasound and pre-op appointments.

[rking 484]

I stayed in contact with doc office. They sent it on friday and it was approved the next Thursday. I didn't get a letter until two weeks after approval date. Check online call don't wait for a letter. I also learned to be proactive. Don't sit and wait to be notified for everything. Call and check on everything.

[baileyj908 37]

I have called numerous to both insurnace and doctors. It's my doctors offices fault. Apparently after you finish your weight management classes they send your case to the precert department for surgery. The surgeons review paperwork and then approve surgey. After this they send it to your insurance. I don't know how often they meet to approve surgeries (it must be a group of the surgeons) but they look at cases based on surgery date.

[baileyj908 37]

My paperwork was apparently submitted to them on November 3. They still haven't approved yet so they haven't sent it to insurance. It must be sitting in a pile somewhere. I'm so frustrated and annoyed.

[micnic1027 1]

2 days

[rking 484]

In my opinion, that is unacceptable. Get the paperwork out of the pile and get it to insurance! I would question the hell out of them. Can your doctor not approve the surgery himself? I, myself, would be bugging them to death. Ask them if this is normal practice. It can be done in a nice way, as it is not a good thing to make them mad. It makes me really appreciate my doctors office a lot. I had my stuff in order, knew what I needed, got it done, and was sure they did not have to wait on me. They are so confident in their work that I had a surgery date before my insurance was approved. The staff and Doctor was very on the ball. Are they too busy? Too many patients? Keep me posted.

[baileyj908 37]

In my opinion, that is unacceptable. Get the paperwork out of the pile and get it to insurance! I would question the hell out of them. Can your doctor not approve the surgery himself? I, myself, would be bugging them to death. Ask them if this is normal practice. It can be done in a nice way, as it is not a good thing to make them mad. It makes me really appreciate my doctors office a lot. I had my stuff in order, knew what I needed, got it done, and was sure they did not have to wait on me. They are so confident in their work that I had a surgery date before my insurance was approved. The staff and Doctor was very on the ball. Are they too busy? Too many patients? Keep me posted.

Thanks. I am going to try again on Monday. I actually have my surgery scheduled for December 18th and am supposed to do pre admission testing next Friday. I don't understand how they do preadmission testing without insurance approval. I'm beyond frustrated.

[Chelle Bean 51]

Go to the office and ask to speak with someone about your case. I did this and called several times. I know they think I'm the crazy lady but hey whatever works!

[baileyj908 37]

I called and spoke with the case manager again today. She said she is checking in with the manager of the GI every morning - that she doesn't know why it is taking so long. I will give to Wednesday and then I'm calling to see who is in charge to talk to.

[Chelle Bean 51]

what insurance do you have if you don't mind me asking?

[baileyj908 37]

what insurance do you have if you don't mind me asking?

I have highmark BCBS, but it is actually a hold up at my doctors office. It hasn't been submitted to my insurance yet.