Dolly at Dr Snyders office

I'm glad everything worked out for you. Good luck tomorrow, how exciting!!!!! I just got  bad news today that I was denied for the 2nd time. I'm not sure what I'm going to do now.

Why are you being denied?

I have UHC and they require a 5 years weight history. My bmi was 39 instead of 40 or above one of the years. So now its time to appeal. Has anyone had any similar experience with UHC and were you approved after appealing?

Hi, I have UHC and was almost denied for the exact same thing. I had a great UHC nurse that I worked with who was very upfront about needing the health history and higher BMI before I'd get approval. So before I had her submit anything to the insurance doctor I made sure she had my health history along w/diet pills that had been perscribed over the years and a letter from my primary concerning my weight loss struggles. Next, I worked really hard to get my weight up from my original BMI of 34.5 to 40, not nearly as fun or easy as you'd think. There are lots of "creative" ways to do this. I just wasn't going to pack on a ton of weight before surgery so I had to come up w/a few alternatives.

Here's the good news...I am 2 months post op and thrilled w/my band. The weight loss has been a little slower than my very impatient self would like but I'm feeling great and am grateful everyday for this decision.
Stay postive and believe this will happen for you and it will. Good Luck and let me know how everything is going.
Mia (also a Westminsterite)

I have UHC and had to do self pay.  They had an exclusion for any bariatric procedure. Since I was self pay the process was quick.  Seminar  - 4/26, consult with Dr. S  - 5/14,  Pre op with Dr. S - 6/2, surgery - 6/5.  He does have discounted rates for self pay but it still was a lot!  But I am so glad I did it.   I'm feeling better every day.  Can't wait to add a few mushies to my liquid diet. 

I have to stick up for Dolly... she is only ONE person trying to get each patient that passes through Dr. Snyder's office - approved for surgery.  She is also the only person to help you get financing if your insurance company denies you for surgery. We are all consumed by "instantanious" results...which could be why we are in need of Dr.Snyder's office in the first place. (Take no offense please)  Take a deep breath and give her a chance - she is a wonderful person and will make sure when she is on the phone with you that you will get 100% of her attention.

Yvonne, No offense taken.   And hopefully you saw where I came back and posted that Dolly really came through for me in a big way.  When she did call back I felt confident I had her attention 100%.  And also at my pre op appt. I made it a point to find her and thank her personally for all she did for me. 

I didn't see that you came back and posted that Dolly finally called you until after I had posted my reply.  See how quick we are to jump the gun?!  ha ha.    Have a great journey!  It's been a challenging ride - but I'm loving my new outlook on life! 

I used Dr. Snyder and only had problems with Dolly once. After trying to email her several times with no response I emailed Dr. Snyder and explained how her lack of communication reflects poorly on his practice. I received a phone call from both Dr. Snyder and Dolly that day and haven't had a problem since. Honestly Dr. Snyder is a really great surgeon, one of the best, unfortunately no one person or practice is perfect 100% of the time. Always let Dr. Snyder know when something isn't right and I promise you he will make it right! Good Luck! Morgan

I want to preface my statement with the understanding that I am very aware of how busy Dolly is and the workload she has to endure.  I can only imagine how overwhelming it must be.  But I, unfortunately, did not have a good experience with Dolly.  After months & months of disinterest and lack of response and the lack of follow through or follow up with regards to my insurance.  I ultimately gave up feeling mislead that no one was fighting for me as they had promised they would.

After about 9months I decided to pursue WLS again, but with a different surgeon. That turned out to be THE BEST decision for me.  I had the same insurance I had when I left Snyder's practice...I went to Dr.Chae at Skyridge medical center and everything went smooth as BUTTAH.  I think Snyder's practice is phenomenal...I experienced nothing but kindness and support with every one of Snyder's staff with the sole exception of Dolly. She was cold, unfeeling, unresponsive and would simply repeat things to me without explanation or plans of attack on how to approach my insurance company etc.  I got the impression that I was somehow on her bad list and once I was there, she had no interest in helping me.  I logged complaint after complaint with Snyder and another member of his office just recently.  
 
I am sorry I don't have more positive information to share with regards to Dolly.  But, I just wanted to share my unique experience.  But, please understand that I don't say this to hurt anyone or cause any negativity.  This is just my experience and I wanted to share since the question was asked.

Best of luck in your journey.  But, you may find that life may take you along a different path to reach the same destination. That's what I feel happened to me.  I ultimately found a surgeon and staff that suited my needs better and turned out to be the PERFECT fit for me.

Thanks for allowing me to share.
all the best,
Heather