Few newbie type of questions

Hey everyone, I have a few questions.
1: How long did you wait from insurance approval until surgery date? Dr. Evanson is scheduling 3 months out. Wondring if that is a long time or just average?

2: I was told by one of the girls I work with that this is a bad time of year to get insurance approval. Last year at this time she was trying to get approval and Humana would do the approval until after the beginning of the new year because it was benefit change time. So I could be waiting until January for approval and then til March or April for surgery. This has me totally bummed out. I was set to be waiting til Jan or Feb, but March or April? That seems so far off. I guess I'm anxious and excited!

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

I think how long you wait after approval for a surgery date depends on the doctor.   After you are approved and have a date, you might tell them you would be willing to fill in a cancellation date.   As far as your second question, I don't know about that one.  But if you have to wait, it's well work it.

Carol

I got approved around this time of year in 2006. I only had to wait about 5 weeks for surgery. Apparently the week of Thanksgiving is not a popular time to have gastric bypass! Go figure! If you have to wait though, you can make it through, and we'll be here to stand by you.

3 months sounds pretty reasonable to me.  From when I was approved it took about 5 weeks to get my date. Then the date was about 2 months away. I had Dr. Gupta.  This time of year is pretty busy. Everyone is trying to get their surgeries in before the start of the new year to avoid deductibles and all that.  It will happen for you, just try to be patient, but I know it is hard.  I was the same way.  It will go fast.

I started the process in June 2008 and I am scheduled for surgery next week.  During that time, I have gone through insurance approval and surgery scheduling and I have Dr. Gupta.  So I think you are probably on track.  I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield.  Hope that helps....