It's something at least!

I still do not have surgery approval or a date set, but after a MONTH of waiting and multiple calls to Aetna with them saying " we haven't received anything", and calling Dr. Schweitzer's office weekly and them 3 times resending it, Aetna finally sent me a letter dated 7/14 stating they received the surgery preauthorization request.  Now they have 30 days to review it. 
 
I am so glad to at least have this piece and know that I will get their decision by 8/15 at the very latest.  I have to find what little patience I have left to wait another month with miserable obesity but I am looking forward to my surgery and getting back my life!  In the meantime I enjoy reading all your posts but haven't felt like I've had much to contribute while waiting.  Thanks to you all for keeping me inspired with your progress and Wow moments!

Hey Jennifer,
As the title of your post states, at least it's something.  I admire your persistance in getting a hold of them to get the ball rolling.  Keep in mind, this is your body.  And you have every right to continue bugging them.  I mentioned this in another post the other day.  You have to become a pain in their ass until you get the answers you're looking for.  Eventually, they're going to get tired of hearing from you and get back to you ASAP.  I know if I worked for an insurance company and some crazed woman called me every day, I'd do all I could to get her to stop.  LOL.  Good luck with everything and keep us posted.

PS-Oh yeah, what do you mean you don't feel like you've had anything to contribute lately?  You are allowed to come on and say hello.  Being new to Maryland and the Md. board, I need to make as many new friends as possible.  Take care.

Thanks Andy, Welcome to the board too!  I see you are from all the way up in Elkton. I saw an earlier post from you asking about "in person" support groups close to you.   I think that makes you just as close to Wilmington, Newark amd Philly support groups as it would to the one held at Upper Chesapeake or further south.  I'm not sure whether Dr. Vanguri in Harford Co has his own support group.  I have been using the "online" style support of OH because even though I am close enough to attend several in MD, they conflict with my work hours since I work two positions, one FT, one PT. 
I'll call Aetna frequently to check on my status. I yhink I have reached PIA status with them by now! Thanks!

WOO HOO;  THE TIME WILL FLY JEN;

I know you have been waiting so long for this and I pray it goes quickly and painlessley
for you.

DARLA

Thanks Darla!
I missed your one-year surgiversary!  Happy one year and woe 100 lbs gone!  You are really rockin' your WLS!  You look so slim in your avatar.  Keep those prayers coming my way, I sure need them!
Hugs,

Jennifer, that is EXACTLY how it went for me. I called daily, sometimes up to 3 times a day. The nurse assigned to my case was just overworked. Sounds like you've got the same one or someone like her. Best wishes, I'm sure this will all work out and you'll have your date very soon.

Thanks, Kathy
It is really difficult to put trust in others to take care of something so crucial to my well being. My patience is wearing thin but I will keep on waiting because I know it will all be worth it!  I'll be calling Aetna daily from now on.  I missed you.  Hugs to you,

jennifer,
 I'm in the same boat. Everything I can physically do is now out of my hands. I have to wait until my primary care doc sends my stuff to Dr. Schweitzer's office and then they send it to the insurance. And the fact that we have Dr. S as our surgeon and you know how long his waiting list is. Just keep me posted on how things go.

Candie

Thanks, Candie,
Yep, we are both in the same boat.  Dr S will be worth it I know.  But I thik with all the surgeons at that office and only one financial coordinator she is overworked and that would be understandable.  But they should take care of that and hire ma second one if needed!  I understand his surgeries are being scheduled 6 weeks out from date of approval, which is what Teresa said.  So, it's probably more like October!  I hope and pray for a September date.  Let's you and I both keep calling.  I plan to call Aetna daily until they review and approve my case.  Once I get approval i will on Dr S's office "like white on rice" to get my date set.  Stay in touch! Hugs

Keep calling every day that is what I did.  For me, it was about one week from the time they acknowledged that they had everything to the time approval was given.  Mind you, the only letter I got was that the case was opened and that there was "additional paperwork" needed.  But when I found out I was approved I call Teresa straight away and she called Aetna to get it.  Hopefully we'll all be looking at September for our dates!

Heather