Wants some advice !

Hey Guys, It's been a while since I've posted. But I need some advice. and I know some of the greatest most concern, caring people visit this site. So I decided this is where I needed to vent.. if I trully wanted help.. I have chosen Dr. Steiner as my surgeon.. But I've been denied twice by my ins. and I've had the work up and everything st. joes east. But since the denial I've not heard anything from the Weight Loss Center and when I call it's like No one wants to help in anyway.. Lela has been great , but she works with the billing and there are some things I need to ask that she doesnt know... But anyway. It was recommended that I get a few months medical documentation and re-submit my claim. But I'm seriously doubting if I should continue with St. Joes East ? I'm getting ready to re-submit and I would appreciate some advice.. I trully wonder if Im forgotten this easily now. what will happen if I'm approved and get the surgery there ? Sorry for the complaining.. I just needed to vent I guess.. Any info or advice would be appreciated...... Thanks Debbie

My advice is get a doctor you are comfortable with....it is your life.

I am very comfortable with the Dr. It's the staff that I'm having second thougths about...

Our insurance coordinators are tireless and work very very hard for our patients and the rest of our staff in my surgeon's program rocks. They are there for us 24/7 Seriously. I originally chose another doctor (I won't say who but they were in Lexington) but had such horrible experiences with their staff, I said NO WAY. Like you, I felt as if I was just being ignored and didn't feel comfortable going thru this life changing event with staff that were so rude and/or clueless. I'm SO DARN GLAD that I switched to Dr. Weiss and Dr. Oldham. Not only do they ROCK but their staff is the BEST. They are our friends as well as our guides. If you are not comfortable, then go somewhere else. You want an insurance coordinator who will FIGHT FOR YOU. I know our insurance coordinator has gone to appeals hearings with some patients! THAT is dedication! Kat

Debbie - don't give up on the staff at WLS at St. Joe's! While you may feel at this point that "know one cares", believe me they do... St. Joe's has one of the best programs in the area and they are here to stay. I would strongly suggest that you make a trip to the office and ask to speak with Karen and if she is not available ask for the office manager - go prepared with all of your medical information etc., be prepared to answer any questions they may have... just don't give up! Dr. Nighbert did my surgery on 2/16 and he was awesome as well as the staff! Hang in there! - Mags

debbie, i second what Mags said. If you are comfortable with these docs then don't let anyone convince you otherwise. Most everyone always thinks their doc is the best, but i think you mentioned to me once before someone had sent you a private email and tried to get you to go to someone else. What mary said is also correct, go with the one you are comfortable with. i can tell you that even at 13 months out, if i need Dr, Steiner, he is always there and even when i just have a question for the nurse, he is the one that calls me back. If i write something in my profile about not feeling well, he calls me (yes, he does read what we write). It is some of the new staff that came with the new building that is causing the problem and the docs are not even aware of it. have you tried to speak with Donna? I have heard that some people can't even get to her thru the new staff and she is livid about it. i would show up right at the office and demand to see Donna or Karen. Also, i believe Dr. Steiner was doing you. Did you know you can email him personally? The info is here with his personal email address, he does personally respond back to you. Usually the next day,on the site under his credentials. Great credentials too, i might add for those that doubt his skills. But like everyone else on here, I am prejudiced and i don't like to see anyone even insinuate that my doc is not all that great. Good luck to you whatever you do. I think you researched all these doctors before you made your original decision so if it is just the office staff, get around them.

Delores and Mags.. I believe that Dr. Steiner is a wonderful surgeon...And I researched for 7 months before I decided which Dr. I wanted to use.. And it is the office staff that I am having problems with....I havent called in over a month, because when I did call I was treated like I was a newsonce. I took several days off work during the work up and it's hard for me to get time off now...I cant just drive to Lexington and hope that I can get thru the door... I have mentioned that Lela has been great.....And Donna gave me several good suggestions... but since that time I've not been able to speak with Donna ... or actually speak with anyone at all that seems to have a clue of what they are doing.....I dont think I'm being irrational because I work in a medical facility and I know how busy and hectic a day can be.... But..... I also know that I am there to serve my patients and without them I would not have a job... So I know how I would like to be treated as a patient and I've not gotten that from Most of the Staff and the Center For WLS.... I try not to bash anyone..but enough is enough....I was unaware that Dr. Steiner could be emailed personally....I will try and find his addy and email him now.... I called another facility today and it was amazing how helpful they were.... But I also remember that this same thing was true with The Center for WLS before I was denied.... So I'm weiry about the whole situation now...But I'm still convinced that WLS is my last hope... So I have to keep fighting.... even If I feel like I'm fighting alone.... This is my last appeal.... If I dont win this one I cant submit another claim... SO I have to have someone that know's what they are doing . basically "We" need someone that cares.....

No one is insinuating that any doctor is great, but the surgery is just ONE step in the process. If you don't have a strong network of support from the staff AFTER the surgery, it is easy to fail and get discouraged. I think having a strong aftercare and staff support system has been integral to my success. Kat

Kathryn, I agree after care and support is a must and if you've not been denied you do not know the hopelessness that you feel.... Especially when you dont really know anyone that know's much about the appeals process for bariatric surgery... So in it's own way before care is as important as after care...and at this point I have gotten NONE from the Staff... and I'm really discouraged and afraid that 2 really wonderful surgeons are gonna lose alot of potential patients if the problems with the staff are not addressed.... I'm certainly NOT giving up... I've not even been told if I have any options... if there is a possibility for self pay... I've heard things about people having the surgery and getting a medicaid spin down card to big up the charges....but I am absoutley clueless what my options are except .... the insurance pays or apparently no one cares.... I hate that I feel that way...But I do.... and the more I think about it the more upset I become.... Just keep me in your prayers... and pray that I will make the right decision... because the Bottom line is.... I have to lose this weight or I will die.....and after over 25 yrs of dieting it's evident that I cant do it without a tool to help me.... I've done so much damage to my body with my weight, diets,,, starvation, throwing up ... pills and unhealthy food.....and a change has to take place... But I feel like I'm at a dead end as far as getting help or advice from the office staff of My chosen physician...

We DO have a very strong aftercare program.in fact, it has the reputation of being the best aftercare in the state from people that have tried other programs. There is one doc in Louisville that has no aftercare at all. i think that is just awful. Far better than some i have heard of and I have heard that you guys do too. That is great. The main staff is great. Our problem is getting around some of the new help to the docs but that will soon change. They are being made aware of the difficulties we are having. Our group has grown so fast. The last month's support meeting, people were having to stand around the walls. It is definately a much larger practice now and i think some of the intimacy disappears with that much growth but the doctors are really trying and have always been great. I have heard a couple of complaints about Nighbert but i don't deal with him. i do him from being one of his nurses in a former "life' aside from weight loss. i can voutch (sp0 for him then but i don't know about the wls. I know MY doc is wonderful and I'm sure yours is also. We all have so much to be thankful for.