Frustrated...need surgery now or by year end!!

ok, just trying to understand the process of this is so frustrating.  I started checking into this last September.  I have Health Partners insurance, did all the phone calls, seen 3 different psychologists......now just waiting on the psych to send the final eval to the surgeons office so that hopefully I can have the VSG surgery before the end of December or I will have to dish out another $2500, which I know is very little compared to self pay but why does it take so frickin long????  I guess once it is sent then the surgeon & nurse have to go over all paperwork then call me in for appt. after that is done then they submit to my insurance...does anyone know how long it takes for health partners to make a decision???  Just wondering?  Does anyone have Dr. Kelly and had a VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy)?  I need this now!!! :(

I didn't have Dr. Kelly or a VSG, but I did have HealthPartners as my insurer. They took about 9 business days after everything was submitted to approve me (I called them every day to check), I got the official approval letter a couple of days after that.

so you called health partners daily to check?  Who did you call just the main claims number?

 Very fast once you have passed the Psych eval. 

I have healthpartners too :)

After I completed my calls, lab work, psych eval, bariatrician eval, and dietician, it was less than a month till surgery!!  After my last appointment with the aformentioned people, they sent my paperwork in and it was approved within a week.   They were able to get me in to see the surgeon the next week, then he set up my surgery for 10 days after I saw him. I did not have Dr Kelly though...

Dr. Kelly did my RNY and I thank him every day for it!  It's a miracle!  I was originally going to get the lap band but when I had my preop appointment I learned I wasn't the best candidate so decided to switch to RNY.  Great decision for me and I'm down 60 pounds at four months out.  Yeehaw! 

It only took me one day to get my surgery approval back but it can take up to two weeks.  They usually only go over the cases once or twice a week and I just happen to have mine sent in the day they were going over them so heard back right away.  

It's usually about a month from pre-op appointment to surgery depending on if they want you to lose weight on a liquid diet first.  I didn't have to do that but my friend did.  All depends on your size and your liver, I guess.

Nicky, the St. Paul Surgeons insurance coordinator is a rockstar and super helpful.  If there's a way to get your surgery in by the end of the year, she will find a way!  Good luck!

Thanks!  Yes, I have talked to Nicky several times and she is great!!!  I met with Dr. Kelly yesterday and I really like how he took the time to answer all of my questions and I feel very good about going ahead with my decision once I talked with him!  60 lbs????  good for you!!!  Can't wait to be in your shoes!!