Denied, and Looking for Support

[skinipete 0]

What I took away from your original post was that you've given them enough for them to assign you a Dr but you didn't want to go to that Dr because he was too far away. Am I right? If so, find a way to get to that Dr. & get it done! There should be a Dr close to you that can do your fills but...come on! If you want this bad enough you can get there & get banded.

Nothing worth doing is going to be easy!

Edited October 5, 2008 by skinipete

[serenity55 15]

Michee, thank you for the encouragement. I’m going to try everything I can. I’d thought about self pay, but that’s just not an option for me, or at least, I didn’t think so. I believe my insurance will pay for it, and if they don’t they’re going to give me a good reason why.

Skinipete, as you live in Florida, you have no idea how bad the transportation is, nor how difficult it might be for me, because I am blind and don’t drive. I don’t use my blindness to get pity; I’m simply stating a fact. Even if I were to get to a doctor closer to me I’d still have to travel for whatever classes or groups that were required, not to mention post operative appointments. I wouldn’t ask any of my sighted friends to drive me that far, not with the price of gas, and the time it would take. When I said it was an hour away, that’s in a car, directly from my house to the doctor’s office, not sharing a ride with others, which is what I’d be doing.

Yes, I want to get a lap band, and I want it badly, and I also know that my insurance company has sent people to doctors closer to home. All I’m asking is that they do the same for me. I think that’s my right.

[NEWLIFE4BEV 0]

I know how you feel. I was denied because my nutritionist did not give enough follow-up notes. Unbelievable.

However, I am appealing through The Obesity Law & Advocacy Center- they due Lap Band Appeals and it is no cost to you or the doctor's office. Their phone number is 619-656-5251 (California). My doctor faxed all my records to them last week. Please try and appeal. I don't know how long it takes, but I, too, am so devestated that I have to do something. As my doctor's office said, it seems the insurance companies are in the process of denying.

Let me know.

[serenity55 15]

Hi Bev,

It’s nice to know I’m not alone. Thank you for your post.

I did contact obesity law because I’ve heard positive things about them, but I wasn’t sure if I should have my doctor appeal or just let them do it. I asked for an opinion about that, and am still waiting. But I’m thinking I’ll just let them help me.

My physicians group told me they were denying me because I didn’t have six months’ proof of weight loss, and before that it was other things

Let me know what happens with you. How long ago did your doctor’s office fax everything?

Good luck, and thanks again!.

Edited October 8, 2008 by serenity55