I AM FED UP WITH EMORY!

I need to vent. I have been fighting with Emory for a year to get my surgery. I NEVER thought I would have more problems from a doctor's office than my insurance company. HOW PATHETIC! I finally had my appointment yesterday to get my surgery date. I told Dr. Lin how disgusted I was with Emory and how difficult and disorganized their bariatric department was. I told him there was only one reason I had not gone to another doctor and that was him. I really felt confident in him as a surgeon. Well, he tells me he has a surgery opening on TUESDAY! Either that or I wait until the end of November. He said he had to finalize some things on his calendar and his assistant would call me by the end of YESTERDAY. Well, it is 3:30 on Friday and no phone call. Now, his assistants voicemail is full. I called the main bariatric department and they just gave me the runaround, "Dr. Lin is at a different location. We have no idea, blah, blah, blah..." I spoke with my husband and I am waiting until 4 pm and then I am calling and I will "unleash the dragon" on them. (My husband can testify that you do not want to witness that) I am an Emory alumni and chose them because of their expertise and reputation. I am so disappointed by the lack of professionalism this organization has displayed. I also saw some of you speak of Dr. Macik. I can tell you that is who my own PCP recommended and I trust him 100%. But no, I had to be an idiot and insist on Emory. I have spoke with a former employee of Dr. Macik's who works as a coordinator for N.Fulton and she really said good things about him. As of now, let me just say....UNLESS you are a HIGH RISK patient, DO NOT USE EMORY. Of course, if you are the type that likes a lot of frustration, confusion, and disorganization in your life then let me recommend them! THANKS FOR READING! Tracy Roswell, GA

I feel your pain...I'm probably NEVER going to have surgery because of them.... I started out in the process with them last november (2003)...they finally submitted my info on September 1, 2004 to BCBS HMO of GA...I was denied on September 23, 2004...they basically told me sorry, the ins. denied you...you are on your own for the appeal as we don't get involved...Thanks for telling me NOW! I wanted to go over what they submitted to insurance and they could not even tell me...I doubt they sent all that was required - causing me to be denied due to a technicality...I assure you I had all the required paperwork turned in and then some...in addition I met all the required criteria as stated by the insurance...they would not even call the insurance company after I'd been denied to find out what the specific reason was...it was an absolute CIRCUS!!!! So, I had to switch to a new surgeon who takes my insurance...I met with the surgeon yesterday they are resubmitting my paperwork next week... The catch is that I found out today that my company did not elect to purchase the rider for bariatric surgery to be covered in the insurance for next year...if I don't have the surgery this year I am out of luck for good. So, if by any remote chance of luck my insurance approves me this year...it still may be too late because due to the holidays and end of the year surgery slots are limited and the last day of surgery is Dec 14..... So, by their delays, ineptness and incompetence may have caused me the very thing that could save my life - or atleast have a longer life expectancy. I have EMORY BARIATRICS to thank for all this..... Chris S

Well, I finally demanded someone get on the phone and atl east let me know if Tuesday was a "go" since my mom will be coming up from Florida on Monday. They said I am scheduled and have to be there at 5:30 a.m. I just want to say I wish I had paid more attention to other people stories about the problems they went through with certain offices and doctors before I wasted all this time with mine.

Tracy, Congrats on finally getting somewhere with Emory. I am also using them. I have had the same experience as you. They kept telling me that they did not have my information to apply for my approval. Well, I knew for a fact that they did. So, I called Carol Perez, she is Dr. Khaitan's assistant. Well, I left her a message and told her what was going on. Let me tell you, the next day the coordination dept called me and said they had everything but my medical necessity letter. The day before they had told me they had nothing at all. LOL go figure huh? I am currently waiting for the decision. This is another example. When I first called Emory to get in to see the doctor. They told me that I would not be able to get into a seminar until April fo next year!! Well, I emailed Dr. Khaitan, and within the week I had my information packet and a date for the seminar. They are very incompetent at the coordination dept. I, however, have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Khaitan and her medical office staff. So, I just wanted to say, I feel your pain. Let me know when you get out of the hospital. I will be praying for you. HUGGSS!!! Tonya W

So this means you are having your surgery on Tuesday? My thoughts and prayers are with you. If you need anything, just yell. Hugs, Debra =^..^=