Help me get through

I'm getting antsy, grumpy, anoid, all that and more.  I started this process of trying to get approved to have bypass surgery last August.  I've had all my tests, evaluations, letters written, 6 months of  "supervised" weight loss and now I just can't wait any longer.  Can anyone tell me how long it usually takes to get your paperwork submitted by the doctors office and then hear a reply from your insurance company.  I know they have 30 days, but I'm afraid I won't have my surgery before my company has open enrollment and then I'm afraid we'll have to change insurance companies.  I know I didn't get here overnight, but I thought I would be "there" by now.   I know I need to get a grip.  Can someone please help me?

The waiting is the hardest part.  Just make sure that you contact the surgeon's office to make sure that there is nothing else that you need to bring to them, i.e., copies of results, etc. in order to qualify.  Once you do this, make sure that you're in contact with your insurance company to make sure they've rcvd. the approval request.  If so, just try to relax.  As long as you've done everything you had to do and everything that was required of you to do by your insurance company & by your surgical team, you should have your answer in no time.  Good luck with everything!

I'm in the same boat...  And am doing everything I can to keep mind on other things.  My surgeon's office submitted the paperwork to the insurance company, but I was turned down because the I didn't include a 5 year weight loss history. Getting that information from my primary care physician took over a week (which felt like eternity). I finally got the information and forwarded it to my surgeon's office yesterday. Hopefully they resubmitted the request today. I was going to call them to check on it, but I didn't (trying to get a grip and not be a nusiance).  It is so close, but yet so far.  When all you can do is wait, waiting is the hardest thing to do.

I have to hold back from checking with the doctors office as well.  I know they do their job well and I know that they have other patients, but I want to make sure everything has been submitted and we can get the ball rolling.

OK...this is where you might make a mistake.     No...you don't need to "hold back" with the doctor's office.   You need to make sure everything is getting done.   Let them know that you have a "deadline" with the open enrollment and need them to get the paperwork in. These offices are swamped.   Remember, they are businesses.   They are shuffling a lot of paper and on occasion things get lost or missed. Give them a reasonable amount of time and then call.   Be nice and be professional...but call.   Ask....have you sent my paperwork yet?   If not, what can I do to help?   Check that they have everything.    If they tell you it will be submitted on Friday...then on Monday, call the insurance company to see if they got it.   If not, call the Dr and tell them that the insurance company does not have it and you are checking to see if anything is wrong. Don't feel like you just have to wait.   That is how things get lost.   Don't be rude.   Be understanding and reasonable.   But get the date that they will send things and then follow up.    Be the same way with your insurance company.   Ask how long the item will be in process.   Then give them a day or two beyond and call.  In my case, I found the person that actually did the paperwork in my surgeons office and made friends with her.   I got everything to her and many times hand delivered it.   I checked in often.  When the paperwork went to my ins company, I called and verified that they had everything they needed and asked for a date when the decision would be made.   It took three people and about an hour on the phone, but I got my answer.   Then, when I heard nothing for three days after the decision date, I called my surgeons office.   They told me they had not heard.   So back to the insurance company.   After a couple of transfers, I got to the right person.  It had been approved but had not been sent.   She told me they would send it right then.   I got her direct line and name.   The next day, when I called the surgeons office, and they had not yet received it, I called her back.   She assured me it had been sent.  So back to the surgeons office, I called.   Ooops...sure enough it was there...and they scheduled my surgery.  Stick with it.   Do your part.  Don't be rude or angry.   But be firm and expect them to do what they ware being paid to do.    This goes for the surgeon's office and the isurance company. ....I will get down off my soap box now. Good luck with this and let us know how things go!

Dave: Thanks for the advise.  I will be firm.  This is an important, life changing event and I am determined to see it through.  As a fat chick, I'm always afraid of who I may offend.  People often see fat people as less important, so I try to stay on everyone's good side.  It's time for me to take a stance for my life. Lisa Z

Wow Lisa, I do the same thing - act as a doormat. And then I eat to stuff down all of the stress, anger and hurt that comes with being a doormat for the world. It's one of the behaviors that I'm working with my Therapist to overcome. It's a real challenge because I've been this way for so long and it's become such a part of who I am that I'm not even always aware that I'm doing it. -Antoinette

Everyone, especially Dave, has given you great advice!!  The only thing I would add is DOCUMENT!!!! Document who you spoke to, what time, location, etc. and any info they tell you.  This will keep things straight in your mind and won't allow them to blow you off!  And it'll show them that you mean business!!! Good luck, Tia

Tia: I am overwhelmed by all of the support.  Thanks so much for your reply.  I am a planner and so far, have everything documented.  Times, dates, phone numbers, names.  I will keep going!! Lisa Z.

Lisa - Yes, it's a great group of people here!!!  I really love the friends I've made on this board!!! Keep plugging away!! Tia