Acute inpatient care denied

I would like to know if anyone else got this. I am approved for my lap band surgery but now i get a letter that my acute inpatient hospital stay is denied after i was approved for 23 hours. Just what does this mean that I get kicked out of the hospital after i recover from the anesthesia. Has anyone ever come home the same day after surgery ? Please let me know so i lnow what course of action I have to take. I am really getting f- -king tired of this ****ty insurance company.

Hi Dusty,

Actually I have heard of LB patients coming home the first day.  It was my initial impression that I would not spend the night unless there was a complication.  I would bet that if there is any complication that your doctor deems medically necessary you stay over night it will happen.  Can you look into that?  You have been through the mill Dusty, I hope this resolves easily for you.  I'm sure there are LB'ers that will have experience to answer you. 

Hi Dusty,

I know all this has got to be quite frustrating for you. But I have heard that for lap bands a lot of the patients go home the very same day. But if your doctors sees that you need to stay over night trust me he will put in for it and your insurance will cover it. 

When my husband got the letter from the insurance saying that they were only covering 1 day of hospital stay after surgery they paid for both because he was not really ready to go home and the insurance paid for the second day.

Wishing you all the best Dusty! 

Hi Dusty (((Hugs))) Im sorry you are going through this. Have you told your Doctor this? Most of the time if they handle the paperwork everything goes through with an approval stamp! LOL They know how to finagle things to make sure your insurance company covers it for you to have less stress after surgery. GOOD LUCK!!! ~Jilly~

I was in and out in less than 5 hours for lap band in August.

Wow Dusty, they keep screwing with you don't they???  I DO know several band patients who went home the first day hours after surgery.  My doc however had me stay the 23 hours.  I think it depends on some factors.  For me I think I was required to stay because I was on insulin at the time.  I'd call a supervisor though, it makes no sense that they approve you for the 23 hours and then you get a denial letter.  Which one is actually right?  

Hmmm, WAIT!!!  Now that I reread your post.  Anything after 23 hours would be considered INpatient. (according to what I understood from my surgeon and insurance co).  They consider the 23 hours OUTpatient.  Definitely call them for clarity.  I bet you are okay for the 23 hour stay!!!

You were right Heather I am ok'd for the 23 hours. They just submitted it wrong.

Ewww, I just got a chill!  I love it when a man tells me I'm right!  LOL Glad it's all straightened out for you! 

I am super glad you were right. Now maybe if I just go over here to the hiding couch and hide til surgery day everything will be alright LOL. shhhhhh i'm hiding lmao. Thanks hun.

they usually only approve one day at first, and then the hospital has to calle ach day to report whether you still meet the insurance company's criteria to stay on another day.