Approval Questions?

So once again, I have questions. I feel like I'm so behind the 8 ball on this stuff! Anyways. When does a surgeon submit the approval for the insurance? Is it after you have gone through your gallbladder ultrasound, psych eval, dietician and blood work? Or do they submit it after your consult? Either way, I'm almost there. The rest of my appointments are this week. I am hoping that I only have to go to the shrink once in order to get the OK. Speaking of shrinks, Has anyone taken a family member or spouse with you to that appointment? I was thinking of taking my husband, to show the shrink that I have my support system already in place, but at the same time, will he even be allowed back?

Amy, The only way to get behind the 8 ball is to ask questions. I learned NO question is too little or too silly. This site is the greatest, with the greatest people. The doctor does not send to the insurance company until he knows you are a candidate. It is a good idea to take your husband with you, but he will not be aloud to go in at the same time as you. But it still shows support, and if the doctor wants, he is there to talk too. I hope your journey goes well, just do not give up if it seems slow.If this is what you truly want it is worth every step no matter how slow or how many you have to take. My journey to WLS was almost 2 years, difficulties beyond my control. You also need to remember it is not over when you have the WLS. That is only the beginning. But what a BEGINNING! God Bless Gail 425/373/305 highest/wls/now 10/11/2006

I believe it is standard practice to submit for approval AFTER all your testing is completed because different insurance companies require different testing. Once the paperwork is submitted, the waiting game starts...some companies are better and quicker than others. I wouldn't take your husband with you intending to have him also meet with the psychologist. If he drives with you and waits in the waiting room that should show his support. The questions that I was asked stemmed from my upbringing, when did I first start to have an obesity problem, dealing with emotional eating, knowledge about the surgery and it's risks and the dedication/support needed to be successful with it. I doubt those are things your husband would need to be present in your session for you to answer. Bring him along with you, but plan on him sitting in the waiting room unless the therapist invites him back. Unless you are a complete basket case and completely in the dark about the surgery and it's risks, you should be fine in your session. Don't sweat it! Good luck!

Thanks for the encouragment! I doubt anyone has been as worried as I have about meeting the shrink. HAHA. Anyways, Here's hoping to get the ball rolling quickly after Thursday!

I don't think anyone likes the psych eval. Mine was done on a computer, and then she asked me about the procedure, what it was, if I understood it. Later the test said I was ambivalent at times with the test? Huh? How does a computer know, actually I was going through it fast, and thought the questions were repetitive and annoying. Is that ambivilant? Maybe it is? Anyway, I was glad to have it over. For me, I needed the psych eval and the letter of medical necessity, then they submitted to insurance. Blessings, Tami

Hi Amy - I'm a patient of Dr.Jawad's too and am going through everything you are at the same time. When they send in your paperwork depends on what your insurance will need. In my case they only needed the PCP letter and it was sent in before I had the Psych consult and nutrition consult - both of which I had done late last week. On my psych consult I went to the doctor they recommended and all I had to do was take the true and false test. He didn't ask me anything personal or about the surgery, just graded the test and told me I fell within a normal range. I'm assuming that every Psych consult is different depending on who you go to. It's hard to be patient but I keep thinking about the end goal and then this time will be worth everything. Nancy

i sent mine in AFTER... good luck

Hi Amy, I just had my eval. last week. It was real easy. The Dr. just ask me a few questions about my past and then I took a true/false test on the computer. I passed. It really was not bad. Just relax and be your self. They will submit all my stuff when I am through with everything. That should be March 7th. God Bless. Crystal