GETTING READY FOR SURGERY UPDATE

Hi everyone: I thought I would let you all know that I recieved my Insurance approval in the mail on Sat. from BCBS and the surgery is approved. This is real different from 18 months ago when I recieved the denial letter from CIGNA. I had my pre-opt. appointment on Fri. with Dr. Irgau and my husband was able to meet him and ask any questions that he might have which he did. I now have 9 days until surgery and I can't help it but I keep thinking something will happen to prevent me from having this surgery like the last time!!! That was a nightmare that I don't want to go through again. I will need everyone on this web site to help me after surgery if I have any questions, because it has been so long since I went through the classes. I had a one-to-one with Sharon Howard at PMRI last week and that was helpful. She went over everything and gave me some updated material from the Life Skills classes, now everything is moving so fast I'm getting nervous. Well, thanks for listening to my ramblings. Rosemary

So with the current problems with BCBS how did you go about getting the approval. I was told that as of Dec 15th CHRIAS would not be "in network" so I needed to have my surgery before Dec 15th and I am on a waiting list. Are you having to pay out of pocket then get reimbursed or is BCBS covering everything for you up front? Please give me some insight on this. Congrats on everything working out for you. I know you are so excited. Amanda

Hi Amanda: Sorry for getting back to you so late, but I have been so busy with work and getting ready for surgery that I have not been on the web for awhile. I was supposed to have surgery on July 20th of 2005, but my insurance then was CIGNA. One day before surgery I was denied. I did everything there was to do which was appeal the decision and go through the appeal process to no avail. I went through alot of stress due to this, but with the Grace of God I was able to find a job with better insurance last April. I saw Dr. Irgau in August and he told me then that we would have to schedule surgery for December. I had to have the Drs. clearances done again and meet with the PMRI people, but I did not have to take the Life Skills classes again. There was a big difference this time around with the PMRI meeting! One being that I did not have to put out the $1,200 that I did last time. Everything has been covered by BCBS. I also was told that I had to have everything done including surgery by December 15th. That's is all I can tell you, I hope this helps. My health has not been good since I started with this journey. My debetes has gotten worse to the point that I am now taking 10 units of insulen at night. My white blood cell count is so high that I had to be tested for all forms of cancer, but it was determined this is because the debetes has stressed my body making the white blood count high (I'm sure the stress I went through with CIGNA did not help either) Rosemary

I wish you well with your surgery. I am happy for you that everything has worked out. I know you are excited about getting back in good health. My prayers are with you as you journey forward.

Rosemary it will be here before you know it. I'm almost two weeks out now and feeling great! I have no idea how much I've lost but I'm sure it's a good amount as clothes are looser and I feel great! I know it's horrible to wait but you will be there before you know it! Michelle