How did YOU do it??

Do you all have any suggestions about the order of my process? I am thinking it is better to have all my appts. done, tests done, before submitting to my insurance... I am also thinking that having a scheduled date for surgery wouldn't be a bad thing to submit with... perhaps it would encourage the decision faster......? Tell me what you think or what your experiences have been! Thanks!!!!!!!!!

I got a referral from my PCP to my surgeon. I filled out my surgeon's info packet, then my pre-op testing was scheduled. I got a letter of medical necessity from my PCP. Then, my surgeon's office submitted everything to my insurance. After I was approved and got a letter of surgical clearance, I got my surgery date. Good luck, Erika L

I first picked a the dr I wanted for my surgery. I found out that he accepted my insurance and that my insurance did cover weight loss. I found out all the stuff my insurance needed for approval...which wasn't much only BMI over 40, no diet or hoops to jump thru. I made my appointment with the dr..collected all my other info...letter from PCP, letters from family, thyroid test, nutrition class. I collected everything and handed it in at once...I was approved the same day that it was faxed, had surgery about a week later. With mine the dr. office sent in a tentative date for surgery and then changed it to 3 weeks earlier, I don't know if that helped the decision, I think I just had all my ducks in a row. I saw my dr. for consult on 6-4 and had surgery 8-4.

You have to contact your PCP for a referral to the surgeon. The surgeon will tell you by giving you a script, what tests they require. My surgeon won't even think about setting a surgery date until they have the approval in their hands because they know how the insurance companies are. It'd be a waste of time! I had a PCP letter all ready to go, made copies of anything and everything I could think of to document my diet history and submitted nearly 60 pages to my surgeon's office who faxed it to Aetna for approval. I got approved in 24 hours. Good luck!! Jan

I went to an WLS informational meeting by my surgical group. I took a packet, completed it and returned it to the surgical coordinator. I requested letters from my PCP, endocronologist, and gastroenterologist. All this was submitted to the insurance from the surgeon's office. I was approved 4 days after they received the information. Then I proceeded with the psych, labs, tests, etc. Looks like everyone approaches WLS differently depending on the requirements of their insurance and the involvement of the PCP and surgeon. LuvitsunnyV@goal

Ok, thanks for everyone's help ... it seems like I am on the right track...I have met with the Surg's office, dietician, part 1 of my psych eval (final part is scheduled for 10/27; BE test on 10/19, gallbladder ultrasound on 10/20, Upper GI on 10/26. Requested Med. Necess. statement from PCP on 10/17 to be sent to the Surgeon's ofc.; submitted supporting documentation when I met w/ the Surg ofc on 10/11; did my labs today; so I guess shortly after the 27th, then everything should be ready to be submitted by the Surg's ofc (of course after they have all the test results, which I think they should have all by then except for the 2nd part of the psych eval which is on that day). Right??? Am gonna request that they submit with a 'tentative' surg date, and then the day after they submit, i start calling my ins. right? lolol

Up hear in Michigan I narrowed down who I wanted to do the cut then called them and did the paperwork. They handled everything from there on out. I was two weeks from paper to my first date but I delayed it one week to line up with summer vacation. My patient coordinator at CORI did everything. All I did ws show and then lose weight! Good luck. I'm pulling for you!! kp

Thank you!!!!!! Starting to get a tad nervous about the time to submission getting closer.... not nervous; i guess more excited is what i mean. Still trying to stay grounded thoughout the process though, so my excitement doesn't run off with me too soon.

Nervous and excited are good!!! It means you are alive! As strange as this may sound enjoy it. You will never have these feelings quite like this again. You are about to step through the door to a fantastic new life filled with endless possiblities. All I can say is you have no idea what waits for you!!!! I am doing stuff that I never thought possible ever again. I'm a kid all over and the coolest thing is people tell me I look 20 years younger. HA!!! I feel like it too! I'm sending positive vibes your way. You ROCK!!!!! kp -118

Thanks for the encouragement !!!! My sister has told me that I am going to be "Out of Control!".... ... but I have denied it hahahaha.... and the closer I get, I think "Ut-Oh... ... maybe she's right ( ).... I AM gonna be OUTTA CONTROL!" (...talk about a MAD SCIENTIST let out of the LAB!...)