Insurance approved -- now what?

[AnnieMae 0]

I saw my surgeon for the initial evaluation on June 2. I called his office yesterday as I had heard nothing from him. His secretary put me on hold and then came back and said my blue cross had approved the surgery. I asked her what was the next step and she said to wait for my "packet" to come in the mail. She was very abrubt with me and I was too timid to ask what the heck was in the packet. I did ask her how long to wait for it until I should call the office and she basically said don't call the office, just wait for the packet. I am assuming this "packet" contains my pre op visits/ appointments? I really don't know. Does anyone have a clue? (I had attended the information seminar in May but no mention was made of a packet).

Thank you to anyone who can help!

Anne in RI

[moonandstarzz 0]

congrats on the approval. I sent my stuff off to aetna and bcbs 2 wks ago and im still waiting on approval. i dont know what the packet is, i would say way another week and then call the office and ask about it, or atleast wait till monday.

[orea15 0]

I have no idea what you packet is, either, but shame on that rude employee! You are paying her salary, in effect, and she should remember that. :thumbup:

Orea

[Tracyde730 7]

From experience I've learned that if you don't keep on top of the doctor's office, you'll wait forever to hear from them. I would wait no longer than Monday, & call back and ask lots of questions. I always write mine down before i call so i don't forget anything. Good luck & keep us posted!!

[juliegeraci 7]

My packet consisted of a binder with dietary requirements along with a sheel to all my evals ie. nutritionist, phsych, EKG and blood. Chances are you need to get some tests done prior to surgery if you haven't already. Good luck.

[nursenky9 0]

I have highmark BCBS the surgeon's office submitted my stuff on July 3, waiting. Good luck

[dwrd73 0]

Mrsezova I hope by now you found out what was in the packet. Let us know. I'm curious.

If not, i would definitely go into the doctor's office and talk to them face-to-face.

[Choromom 0]

I think the packet is a little different for each surgery group. I started with one surgeon/hospital until I learned they didn't accept my insurance. Their packet was different from the one I got from the clinic that is doing my surgery.

You should get information on what the surgeon is going to require before the procedure is done, I would think.

Since you are already approved, this might be some pre-op counseling, perhaps a diet, doing blood work/testing/etc to see exactly where you are with co-morbidities...that really is determined by the insurance...who has given you the go-ahead, and the surgeon.

I agree with other posters that you may need to be more assertive with the office. If it is a busy clinic, doing a lot of surgeries, it is easy to not get the attention you deserve.

Don't get discouraged! Keep working on the process, and things will fall into place.

[AnnieMae 0]

I called my doctor's office last Thursday and was told my "packet" was 95% completed, was put on hold, and then was told the packet would be mailed that day or the next. I asked what the packet contained and was told it has all of the appointments I need to go to before surgery. I was also told that most of these appointments have been made for me. I sure hope I don't have to miss too many days of work. The office and the hospital are almost an hour away from where I live and work.

Once I actually receive the packet I will let you all know what it contains! Thanks for caring.

[AnnieMae 0]

Well, the packet finally arrived and only two of the appointments were made for me (that's more like 20% not 95% as I was told) and I had to reschedule them both anyway. However, I have already had my nutritionist consult and am having my sleep study eval and upper GI next week. My psych eval is August 18 and after that I should be ready to make the appt to see the dr to schedule my surgery! I am scared but so excited too!