Will there be time... Healthpartners

Hello All,

So I have my information session at Park Nicollet on Sept. 7th. Problem is I have to have the surgery by Dec. 31st because of insurance changes next year. I have Healthpartners. They say there is not a 6month wait, but I was wondering, does these dates seem possible? What did you experience? How long did it take you?

Wow that is kind of soon. It really depends on your mental and health condition. It seems like its taking people 6-8 months. What does your insurance require? What does your weight loss center require?

I was with Medica at the time I had my WLS, so I can't speak to Health Partners.  But I submitted my request on January 17th 2007, and had my surgery April 27th, 2007.  If that is at all similar to the experience ahead of you, it'll be close.   But if you stress to PNC your insurance situation, they will do all they can to expedite your process.  I had Dr. Jones, too. 

So it IS possible.  Just send in your application materials ASAP after you get them.  (you'll get them at the info session.)  You might ask your PCP to write a letter of recommendation for you NOW, so you don't have to wait for it.  And you might want to write your own letter outlining your reasons for seeking WLS - I would assume that is still a requirement. If you check out my profile, I posted mine there if you need any ideas.

Good luck to you!!!

My doctor and insurance company seems to think it can be done. I am jst not that convinced with how picky insurance companies can be.

OK I have HealthPartners and this is what is required from HealthPartners themselves. You have to do a Health and Wellness Phone Counseling (Dietician) really sessions first. You have to have Park Nicollet Refer you to them. HealthPartners Wellness People (Journey Well) will call you and talk for about 20 Min (Initial Call) then you have to have 5 sessions after that. Phone calls last 15 minutes and they are every 2 weeks. They will not do them closer together. So after the First call it takes 12 weeks app. After that 1st call that does not count they make the appt phone call 2 weeks from then. First call does not count. (Which Sucks) I am doing them now. I have 1 call down and 4 more to go. There also is 4 Phone Sessions after your Surgery from them. They are preparing you for surgery and seeing that you do understand everything and be Successful in your Journey. I suggest you get your paperwork in right away then give Park Nicollet a couple days then call them and explain to them you would like them to Refer you for these phone counseling sessions ASAP. I think mine is just perfect for both set appts I will be done when phone calls are done. In Oct  I should be done with everything and I started a month ago. Time is flying but not fast enough. Talk to Park Nicollet and see what they can do for you. Good Luck

  I had Health Partners last year. I didn't get all of my requirements done in time to get surgery in December. You will also find it difficult to schedule a quick date in December because there are lots of people in that boat and surgeons like to take some time off then too.
  Anyway, I switched to Blue Cross starting Jan 1 and was absolutely floored to get a date in February. The six month requirement they normally have was waived and all of the preliminaries done by Health Partners were honored. Your situation may be different because of the portability of plans is dependent on your company's agreement with it's various providers.

Hi There,

I have HealthPartners and went to my first info session at Unity in August of 09 and was approved by late October for a November 11 surgery. I moved quickly, having all my ducks in a row and getting lucky with getting all the needed appointments booked.

Getting in the for the required Psych appts was the hardest, and I had to drive all the way across the cities to her office once I found someone who didn't have a long wait list. I also did all my HP phone sessions right away. One thing that benefited me was that I had nearly a year's worth of documented weightloss attempts with my primary doc, who was behind me the entire way.

So there is certainly some luck involved, but staying on top of getting all your appointments scheduled and documenting everything while being highly organized will greatly help move things along!

Best wishes!
Shannon