Waiting for final approval AND insurance headaches!!! Help!!!

I'm the new kid on the block and I am currently scheduled for surgery on 2/3/06. My very big concern is that I cannot get the surgeons' office to say that we have absolute approval from my insurance company. Today I called both the insurance company and the surgeons office and got nowhere. I have coverage that requires (among other things) 12 months of 'failed medically-managed weight loss efforts'. According to the surgeons' office, I meet all criteria and that is why they (and me) went ahead and scheduled the surgical date. They say that a 'check-off' letter from my primary care physician is all that is required. My real concern is that if there should be any denial of payment, all bets would be off and I would be left with the outstanding medical bill. I was not a monthly visitor to the PCP--I saw him every 4 months this past year for diabetes monitoring. I have been with my primary care physican about 5 years, treating me for hypertension (5 yr) and diabetes (2 yr) and now TODAY I got the results from the sleep apnea test and I add that to the list!!!! I will be starting treament next week. Yipee!!! My question.......do most (all) patients get a definitive YES of coverage? I did peruse the insurance info pages and tried to absorb all that info on this site. FYI: My efforts with the Weight Loss Clinic at Beaumont Hosp. started in Sept. 05. They have been great in getting the required appointments completed in a timely manner but NOW, what do I do? Do I proceed as planned???? I am psychologically ready now; also arranging the time away from work is good. Like a dear friend said, "I'm all dressed up an no place to go!!!!" Please offer feedback. Thanks!

Hi Nancy, Some insurance companies will give a sound yes, others will drag their feet and make you wonder, some will just plain give you a hard time. Your Surgeon's office should be real pro's when it come to dealing with the insurance co's. They know what to expect. I don't think they would set up a date unless they were sure it would be covered. If it comes down to it, they can always reschedule your date. I know it can be nerve wracking to wait on the go ahead from the insurance co's., but you will hear from them. Best wishes. God bless you, Annette