Very Worried

I'm am here anxiously waiting for my insurance to approve me. It's less than two weeks for my surgery date and we have heard nothing. Paperwork was sent in last Friday. I know people who work for the state that have had their paperwork done instantly and have the same insurance carrier (Anthem BC/BS). I've called the insurance company twice but they have said they have no record of any claim put in for surgery. Felix at Dr. Barba's office has assured me that the paperwork was sent in and that he spoke to a rep there. I'm starting to wonder if something is wrong because it is taking this long. I've done everything and even had the pre-op class. I don't know what I would do if they denied me now. Thanks for listening to me whine. .. I'll go sit and worry some more.

We've all been there, there's really nothing anyone could say except that we share your pain. All that the doctor needs is a claim number, so once your case is reviewed and approved, the insurance company could get that number to Dr. Barba in an hour. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to how these folks approve or disapprove coverage. I've seen the same insurance company approve someone in one day after they denied someone else several times. I don't know what their criteria are, but I do see them trying every tactic to delay or wiggle out of covering the surgery. In my case, I had to appeal three times. The insurance rep that approved my surgery said she couldn't understand why they had denied me twice. I found out that Empire BC subs out approval to another company, and that company likely has performance incentives that are inversely proportional to the number of surgeries approved. I also later found out that I was not the only one who was denied coverage for what seemed to be arbitrary reasons. Our company got so many complaints that they dropped Empire this year and went with Aetna. I don't know if Aetna is any better, but they couldn't be worse. You still have some time until the 16th, so try to remain sane! I wish you the best, and hope you are approved right away. --Steve

Hang in there Delicia... You have covered your bases. I would give it until Monday and then bug everyone again. Its going to be a tough wait...hopefully not too much longer! Joanie

DELICIA I FEEL YOUR PAIN. I AM WAITING FOR THE SAME EXACT THING ! IT IS EVEN THE SAME INSURANCE CO. I SAY WE TAKE JONIE ADVICE AND WAIT TILL MONDAY. I HAVE NOT HAD THE GUTS TO CALL THE INSURANCE CO. IF I AM GOING TO GET DENIED I THINK I WOULD RATHER HERE IT FROM FELIX, BUT WHO KNOWS IF I DON'T HEAR ANYTHING SOON I AM GOING TO START BUGGINHG THEM. GOOD LUCK BLESSINGS SPLENDALICIOUS