Just starting.. already hurdles to jump.. :/

[OregonBarbie 0]

I finally got my new doctor to send my referral for Bariatric surgery. Insurance denied me, I was going to give up, but decided to appealed and got it approved because of Barretts, which originally they didn't have that information..

But My hospital can't do it, so they sent the referral to another one. When I called to make my appointment, they said 2 year wait list for non members.. UGH!

Because of my Barretts and it's urgent for me to get the GERD to stop so I am not at an even higher risk for cancer. My doctor said 2 years is too long. So I called back the program and she said they don't ever get chart notes with referrals so they had no way to know. So I had to fax her over the biopsy results and doctors notes and she said she is going to present to the board to see what they can do.. I am keeping all my fingers crossed.

So, hopefully I get to share a story soon too!

Edited December 29, 2015 by OregonBarbie

[Djmohr 6,965]

I am guessing the answer is no but I will ask anyway. Many of the hoops jumping are negated by going through a Bariatric center of excellence. And honestly the best after care comes from programs like that. Most insurance companies require we use them in order for them to approve.

My insurance company was able to provide me with the closest Bariatric center of excellence. These people typically know exactly what hoops you have to jump through and in my case, they did most of the jumping for me. Definitely for the paperwork.

I might suggest calling your insurance and asking them if they can provide you with this info. Incidentally these centers have hospitals that are set up for them and once you are approved typically move very quickly.

Also I personally have had exceptional after care for the past 15 months and let's be honest after having Bariatric surgery there are very few general doctors who know how to treat us.

Good luck to you! I hope you get in soon!

[OregonBarbie 0]

HI! Thanks for the reply.. I did get the approval and you are right.. It is a center of excellence. But because I am a NON member there was a 2 year waiting list.. My insurance gave me a 6 month approval. The program they referred me to is very well known and My doctor doesn't think it is a good idea to wait 2 years.. so I sent the center over the needed paperwork to hopefully be considered to start now and skip the 2 year waiting list. The first hurdle was actually getting the approval.

My next hurdles from what I understand is passing all the evaluations which determine if you are even able to physically and mentally have the surgery... so hopefully the process goes smoother after this hurdle.