I have my 1st appt and Medicare

I have Medicare and medicaid as my secondary insurance. I am going to the surgeons office for my 1st appt on Weds. I know that he will talk to me and let me know if he is going to take me on as a patient, but I was wondering what happens from there? What else do I do at the appt besides more paperwork? What happens after the after the insurance company approves me? ( assuming I am approved ) Is the scope at the 2nd appt? It has been a long time since I went to the seminar. I dont know the results of the sleep apnea test yet, I dont think I have it. But, I do have thyroid ( hyper), severe depression, very over weight, head aches and many many failed attempts of diets. I dont know what all is needed for me to be approved? Thanks!~Lo

Medicare wants you at least one hundred pounds overweight and with at least one co-morbidity, such as high blood pressure, diabeties, there are some other ones too, the hyperthyroidism wont count cause you will probably have that after wards too. . Im not sure about the scope and all and when you do all of that since I had Dr. Hornbostel but he didnt require it then. i would imagine that he will get the go ahead from the hospital to schedule you then they will call and sit you up for your scope, then 2 weeks before surgery you will go on your liquid diet and go up to get your blood work done and talk to the techs that will be helping you thru surgery, nutritionist, anesistis, and others. will have a chest exray then too. and will be told what time to be there day of surgery and such.  Hope all of this helps , I know how confusing it all is when your brain is trying to think of lots of things that you know nothing about actually. There is a book out , not sure by whom but it titled...Gastric bypass surgery for Dummies, or something like that, It is really good and clues into a lot of things. go to the library and see if they have it.  When you go see Dr. this wednesday he will give you the big white binder if he accepts you and it will tell you a lot , read it over and over till you know all about what will be happening. And know this that after the surgery the only way you will get enough protein in is thru the protein drinks, food is mainly to fill your stomach up so you wont be tempted to snack on sweets and such. Be prepared for the rest of your life , drinking protein drinks and taking your vits. and also getting in all your water. At first you wont be able to get enough in but hang on it will happen just keep pushing yourself, not to the point of being sick , but till you cant do anymore wait awhile and start again. ok?  Love and hugs and congradulations on the appointment ,one step closer. 

Your first appt is the one where he decides to take you on as a patient.  Marige will submit all of your stuff to your insurance.  Once they get the approval for insurance, Margie will call you.  During that phone call, you will find out when you're scheduled for your scope, your pre-op assesment and your surgery.  For me, the scope was my second appointment and my third appointment will be the pre-op assesment on May 2nd.  My surgery is May 16th, so I guess that'll be my third appointment LOL!  I'll have more face time with him after he guts me than before! HAHA   I don't know if it works that way for everyone, but that's the way it has been for me so far.

Medicare does not do pre authorizations, the dr. knows what you need to do for him to get paid, (what medicare requires) You sound like me when I was researching, I was so nervous that something would happen and it wouldn't go through, I called medicare myself and was told the info. I just gave you. If Dr H gave you an appt. then you've already done everything that medicare requires , or you wouldn't of gotten the appt. In fact i'm pretty sure the first appt is a formality, They won't even make that first appt. until you've completed all the necessary testing to be approved (via medicare or any other ins)i'm sure there must be some instance where he didn't take someone, but i'm sure very very unusual. You really need to try to relax, this worrying can't be good for your blood pressure. Take a nice deep breath and tell yourself I WILL BE APPROVED, IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I will say a prayer for you right now, for your serenity, and sanity lol. good luck, susyp.s the scope appt will be given to you after your first appt. they will send you a form letter with appt.s and times etc. filled out, ususally it will also have your surgery date.