Home Stretch; I think

Why is this so emotional? Before today I  had read posts on here and other boards and always wondered why people got so emotional about any pre-surgical setbacks. 

That is until today, I get it. I am not an emotional person, in-fact that was brought up in my psych eval for the pre-op clearance as something to work on.

So I got a call finally with a date for my surgery the other day, but with one caveat they needed a 3 month weight and diet history from my Primary care to submit to insurance. Now no one told me that I needed to be doing this. I don't see the Dr often and and he had a weight from June and august, and nothing else since early 09 the last time I had seen him. 

Now I have talked to my insurance countless times and they never mentioned this requirement and the surgical nurse said that this MAY put me back 3 months. But was not sure and they would have to wait and see what UHC says. 

I tried to call my insurance company to get a fire lit under them to get it going, but Utilization management for my surgeon has not even submitted it to them yet. 

They gave me a date of Nov 22nd for the surgery and I just wish I could start to schedule my vacation time on that and begin to prepare for the transition. 

I guess the bulk of my issue is not having control over this situation. 

unfortunately, what you're going through is common. In your prior post, you mention that you specifically asked UHC if there were any requiremnts of weight monitoring or past attempts and were told no. When I first tried, 3yrs ago, I was told that I could read the website for specific details. Try reading all the "legalese" there! Then, I tried to have it documented by my primary doc (they required 12 months at that time). At the end of a year, he submitted and they were not satisfied with sufficient detail and rejected. I would suggest being careful...your primary doc may not know to cross every T and dot every I the way they want it. Just a suggestion, but I did my non-surgical attempt this time through the CDH Bariatric too.....Dr Kassar at CDH saw me for the now required 3 months and all was submitted and quickly approved. It's unfortunate that your frustration is not uncommon, and I hope you do understand that it IS the job of the insurance people to deny you and hope that you change insurance before they have to pay for the co-morbidities. I know that sounds emotional and cynical--it is not. It is simply the truth and you're better off if you know the situation at the beginning. I wish you luck in getting it resolved without waiting the 3 months now, but if not, you don't want to find after another 3 months that they find some loophole. Stay positive and persistent....you will need to.....and down the road, you'll be so happy you perservered.

 Take a deep breath.  It is very common for loopholes to be thrown into the works on this journey.  I had several hitches.  I got all through my 6 month diet only to find out my doctor did not write the info in my chart one month so I had to do my 6 month diet again!    The second time around I drew up a chart and included all the information that was needed to meet my insurances requirements and stood over my doctor at each visit until he filled out the chart.  

Unfortunately, it is our responsibility to ask the insurance company for the requirements.  It is best to have them in writing and they will send them to you if you request it..  By having a copy you have proof of what is required and then you have a basis to fight any games that come up later.  

I also had issues at the last minute and went through the last days of presurgery not knowing if I could have it or not.  I is indeed nerve racking.    Chin up and hang in there!

The other two posters gave you some great info so I will not repeat any of what they said other to invite you to the daily roll call where you can "rub" elbows with some pre ops and POs for support. On a side note my sister has UHC and had difficulty with them but she got through it. She had to be her own advocate and had to relentlessly ask questions and keep her own documentation. She was suggessful in the end and had RNY.

I'm so sorry to hear this.  I know what you are going through.  The three month non-surgical medically supervised diet is what got me stuck.  I did it through my primary care doc and his notes were a little less than stellar.  Let me know how you are doing with all the calls to your insurance company.  Keep up your fight and get going right away with checking in to a doc who will complete thorough notes each month of your low calorie diet.  Good luck!