Wow! Approved!

I can't believe it. I don't post often on here, but now I am going to start. I was actually approved by Aetna today. It took me quite a while to submit, as I tried (repeatedly) to go through US bariatrics in Orlando. Quite frankly, unless you are willing to pay everything out of pocket, they just don't even seem to have any interest in working with you. I then went to Dr. Tenewitz in Melbourne, who is no longer practicing bariatrics, so I had to find yet another doctor in January. After a hold up with my chart (I completed all of Aetna's requirements with Tenewitz), I finally got in to see Dr. Jawad in January. They submitted the day I went to the seminar, as I'd already had everything done. (Prior to going to Dr. Jawad, I tried to go to Dr. Kim at US Bariatrics again, and was told by the woman there that "I was better off going someplace that my insurance would pay", even though I had told her I was willing to cover my out-of-network. I don't think Dr. Kim or Dr. Marema have any idea how these ladies are representing their practice.) Well, since then, let me tell you, Aetna has been nothing but a pain in the ass. I've called everyday, and never got the same answer twice. They'd claim they never got my paperwork, then they'd claim they needed more info. The last straw was last week when they told me that they had never recieved my stuff. So, I finally got my HR department involved. Our company has about 350 employees. Well, with in a week, I get a call that I've been approved. Now I am just waiting on a date (which has to jibe with my work schedule), and I am away. I cannot say enough good things about Odalys at Dr. Jawads and Liz in our HR department. It seems amazing to me that with all the people that have been denied, that mine just got approved. But I think the combination of doing everything Aetna outlined (a minor part) and KEEPING ON THEM AND DOCUMENTING EVERYTHING, as well as involving your HR people and threatening to sue (a major part) really is the key. If I hadn't kept on them, this could have languished forever. So, good luck all and hope to be on the losing side soon.

You are going to be so glad you found Dr. Jawad. I am 8 days out today and let me tell you...He is a true professional in his feild and the staff at the hospital you will have your surgery at is tops. I felt totally comfortable having him as my surgeon and I think you will feel the same way too. Congratulations and best of luck in the future. Kirsten

Ted, I'm sorry you had the experience with US Bariatric. I had a totally opposite experience and have been THRILLED with the care and service I get from Dr. Kim and his entire staff. Before I interviewed Dr. Jawad and was not happy at all with the team there. I was disappointed that I couldn't even meet Jawad until after I was approved. My information was submited to my insurance company before it was complete. The chairs in the make shift office had metal arms and weren't appropriate for most of the patients and they didn't have a scale that could weigh most of us. And they billed me $500.00 for 5 minutes with a nurse prationer. When all is said and done I know it's true "to each his own." I'm glad you had Dr. Jawad to go to when you were unhappy with US Bariatric and I'm glad I had US Bariatric to go to when I was unhappy with Dr. Jawad! Good luck with your surgery! Rhonda

I wont tell you about my experiences prior to finding my surgeon, but let's just say, many have some interesting encounters with other offices and then it finally "clicks" and things fall into place. I am so happy for your approval and hope that you will continue to keep us posted on how things go. We are here to help in any way we can. Take care, Amy