Gosh, Where do I start?!

Hello all! I am currently looking at having surgery but am not even sure where to begin! I read journals with all the pre-op testing, psych evaluation, surgeon evaluation etc. Did everyone's insurnace pay for this? I guess I am asking: "I have done the research, I want to have surgery and feel I am a candidate for surgery. How do I start this journey of becoming a "loser?" Any and all help would be appreciated! Thanks!!

my mental health part of my ins paid for this...anyone who has met me, knows my mental health is sure lacking...LMAO.. call your ins co and see what they say about if your covered, then if you need an referal or 6 months diets get started on those kinda things

I agree.. start with your insurance Company.. tell them you are a canidate for WLS and ask them to send you in writing their requirements for coverage.. It will be something like BMI over 40, 6-18 month supervised weightloss attemps.. co morbities.. like High blood pressure etc... Linda

When you call your insurance company it helps also if you can develop a relationship with one person and ask for them each time you call. I found someone at my insurance company that was good at answering questions and I just leaned to ask for her each time I called. Also keep a record of who you talked to, when you talked to them, and what you were told. Try to follow what they tell you but not all of what they tell you is written in stone. The may tell you when you call it is not covered (mine did) Then I did more research and found with certain co-morbidities they would cover on appeal. I also didn't have the documnetation of diets they wanted but on appeal they apporved me. You have to be persitant with them. I also can't say enough good things about the St. Vincent programs and physicians. They are good at helping and sending documentation into insurance for pre-approval. Good luck

If you are choosing one of the surgery centers in Indianapolis (which ever one your insurance uses as a preferred center), then they have insurance coordinators who submit your request to the insurance comapny. If you are approved....the coordinator will advise you what out of pocket expenses you will have based on the response from the insurance provider and depending on your particular policy. The surgery center handles the billing for the pre-surgery tests...in fact they set up the appointments for you. My advice would be to pick who you would like to do your surgery and make an appointment for the one day consult-which involves a group presentation of the surgery options as well as a private consult with the surgeon to see if you meet the criteria for surgery. The phone number for St Francis Bariatric Center is 782-7525-the insurance person is Nancy-you can ask for her directly. I believe St Vincents is listed in the yellow pages under Bariatric Surgery. I am not sure about the other places that do the surgery. Hope this helps. RNY 7/28/04 296/147/140