Approval Hell!

[snuffy65 1]

My Doctor told me I should seek out getting the band done in Dec. Had a consultation with the surgeon on Jan 2.

He told me what I needed, had a sheet on what package of records and tests I needed done. Finished everything including my Psych eval by the Feb 5.

The surgeon's office called back and said they needed more documentation from my PCP and so they called his office and they sent more. Well that apparently wasn't enough so now they are bouncing back and forth.

Now its April 13th and my head is about to explode because the surgeon is waiting on just one letter from my doctor before they send into the insurance company.

Now I hear 3 people who had to wait 5 weeks before the same insurance company would approve. I am very depressed because I love my surgeon but I am suppose to be moving to Florida by the end of the summer and don't know now if I should stick with him or after I get approved just find a new doctor in Florida.

Should I stay on course get approved and have the surgery?

Should I get approved then see if the surgeon will refer me to another surgeon in Florida?

Should I tell both my PCP and WLS surgeon I am moving and to forget the whole thing?

I really don't know because I am worried about these things:

1. Surgeon finding out I am moving and flat out refuse to do surgery and shut the door.

2. PCP will find out I am moving and shut the door on approving me.

3. If no one knows I am moving, will I be able to find a doctor to help me after I get surgery.

4. If I get approved and the surgeon won;t do it now will I have to get pre approved again if I change to a Florida doctor?

[mommakatx2 0]

First of all, take a deep breath :tongue:

Your situation is very similar to mine.

My advice to you is to be upfront with your doctors. You are most certainly not the first person to have surgery and then relocate. Being up front may even help you in the long run to speed things up.

I started the process for WLS in December. In January I attended to seminar. While waiting for my other appointments, I found out we were moving in MAY. The first thing I did was tell both my PCP and my surgeon's office so that they knew I was under a severe time crunch. I did not want to start the whole process here only to be banded at another facility or have to start over.

After all was said and done, my surgeon put a rush on the approval for insurance. Like you, my insurance required more documents which took 10 days. Once they had them, they approved me the very same day.

Tell your doctors and be upfront with them. That's the only way they can really help you get this done. :biggrin: