The Process timeline for me

SpecialK · December 31, 2007

Here it is coming up on the New Year already - 3 months since I started my lapband journey - and I'm still jumping through hoops. I thought I'd recap here for my own record as well as share with others who may be considering lap band surgery how long things do take even if you are working at it and staying on top of it. They don't make it easy to do. BUT I AM DETERMINED !!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007 Oct 3 - Attended the Hospital's Bariatric Program Information session held on the first week of the month. See the various hsopital websites for info.
2007 Oct 10 - Confirmed my insurance (Aetna PPO) does have bariatric surgery as an option they will cover if you meet the required conditions.
2007 - Oct 22 Mailed the application packet I received on Oct 3 into hospital bariatric program doctors and this is quite a bit of info to complete on health history so you can be considered as a candidate for their bariatric program.
2007 Nov 10 - Received acceptance for Bariatric program from surgeons with all the info I need to gather and medical clearances I have to complete before it can be submitted to my insurance. Paid a $300 program administrative fee out of pocket - not covered by insurance.
2007 Nov 15 - Dr. at sleep Medicine Center gives me clearance letter required for sleep apnea based on prior sleep study info. Don't have to repeat this to get clearance! No Cost $$ Yea!
2007 Nov 28 - Cardiologist appointment to begin cardiology clearance - basic exam and EKG and fortunately he's on my In Network doctors list so all I have is a $25 co-pay out of pocket. Requires me to have a chemical stress test and echocardiogram before he can write cardiac clearance letter for lap band surgery.
2007 Nov 29 - Psychologist (Phd not just LISW,MA) appointment to begin psychology clearance required. Basic 1st appointment but identifies that she cannot write clearance letter for surgery without a written 200 question psychological test given, graded or evaluated by her then her recomendatioons from that test shared with me. $20 co-pay only out of pocket.
2007 Nov 30 - my bariatric surgeon - initial appointment to discuss weight loss surgery options - agrees to perform lap band surgery and write letter to insurance for approval as soon as I can complete the clearances I am required to do. $25 co-pay only out of pocket.
2007 Dec 3 - Attend required minimum 1 Hospital's Bariatric Support Program Monthly meeting. Free!
2007 Dec 5 - Primary Care Physician (PCP) requires $50 out of pocket administrative fee to pull 5 years of medical records from a remote storage and copy it to provide a required history of 5 years of morbid obesity BMI info for Aetna insurance clearance.
2007 Dec 14 - Chemical Stress Test done on my heart as one of two special tests for cardiology clearance.
2007 Dec 19 - Echocardiogram test done on my heart as 2nd of special tests required for cardiology clearance. Now need to find out results of tests and see if Dr will write cardiology clearance letter first week of January or what is next. $$ out of pocket for 2 tests unknown. Will be submitted to insurance and we'll see.
2007 Dec 18 - Initial Hospital Bariatric Nutritionist appointment with RD for nutriotion counseling diet history, etc. $200 cost out of pocket. Will try to submit to insurance but don't know if nutrition counseling covered.
2007 Dec 21 - Psychological test cancelled 2nd time because of insurance pre-cert delays. Will now have to try for January and likely pay for the psychological test out of pocket.
2008 - Jan 11 - 2nd Nutritionist appointment - believe I have either 3 total or 6 total still not sure how many minimum! $100 out of pocket per appt. but will try to submit for insurance to see if they will cover any of it.
2008 - Jan 16 - 2nd PCP doctor appointment to document weight loss efforts and document BMI. $20 co-pay only out of pocket.
2008 - Jan 18 - Psychological test (200 question written test) - Likely to have to pay out of pocket on this. $$ unknown

To Do: 2008 - Feb - 3rd Nutritionist appt
To Do: 2008 - Feb - 3rd PCP appt
Goal: 2008 - March 1 - Submit for Insurance approval!