Pre-Op Testing Question

Tracyde730 · May 15, 2008

Dumb question maybe, but here goes...My surgery is Aug 1st and I need my pre-op testing done within 30 days of surgery. Someone told me I can't do pre-op testing until I'm APPROVED for surgery, because what if I'm not approved. The hospital said I need my medical clearence by 7/17 from my PCP. The problem is, I'm going on vacation the week before my surgery, therefore I was going to get the pre-op testing done at my July 3rd doctors appt, which will be my 6th & final PCP appointment which is required by my insurance. Does this make sense? Can anyone shed light on this crazy situation for me???

Thanks! :confused2:

tai68 · May 15, 2008

I'm not entirely sure, but it makes sense that you wouldn't want to have the preop testing done until you know for sure that your insurance has approved you (unless you are paying portions out of pocket?). When I met w/ my primary physician, he told me to hold off on the preop testing until I knew I had the green light from my insurance...reason being, if I was denied, and had to start from the drawing board that I would have had all that testing done for no reason. Has the request to insurance been processed?

Orignally, the center I am going through scheduled me for a June 2nd surgery date - before having any approval from insurance. Because it took a bit longer to get all my ducks in a row (letter of referral, medical records sent over before the request to insurance was put through), I had to push my date back to June 30th. But by the time I had all those steps done, it was w/in 10 days that the insurance approval came back.

Good luck...I hope everything goes smooth and easy for you!!

mickeymammoth · May 15, 2008

I went ahead and had my pre-op testing done before seeing the surgeon. Since the surgeon won't put in for insurance until after I see him, I guess I'm hoping all this is covered! It seems to be pretty standard for his office to request (but not require) all of the testing be done before I come in so all my ducks are in a row. So he must deal with this situation all the time. I know that the psych eval. (which I will need to submit myself) is just like any other psychologist visit; coverage is not tied to the surgery. It's possible that the other evals could be passed off as necessary on some level (like, I was concerned about my lung capacity, and my pulmonologist ordered a test...) even without surgery. Not sure though! I'd ask your surgeon's office insurance expert.