Questions for Dr. Norbert Richardson's patients

I started this journey in October 2005. My husband (he's been an awesome support) and I attended a New Start seminar in Washington Missouri. I knew I wanted to have WLS but the seminar was great and help me confirm that this is what I wanted to do. I called New Start the next day and got the ball rolling. I saw my PCP right away (he is also a great support) he sent me for sleep apnea testing and when he got the results he sent a letter to New Start. I then went to the Nutrionist and got my Physc. done. We submitted the letter to Blue/cross blue shild of Ill. I got declined. This was my first insurance attempted. I then signed up for my insurance and am now in attempt to get this cleared. It is Healthlink. They have very few restrictions. Blue/cross did not clear me because they wanted me to have 2 years of medically supervised diets. I don't want to wait two years. Right now I am healthy (but MO). Anyway, my question is I still have not seen Dr. Richardson. How long after I get my approval (thinking positive) will I be able to have surgery? I am in time constraints with my work. Please if anyone knows please reply. Thanks, Christy

Some people get approved in as little time as 1 month. The average is 1-6 months and sometimes longer. If you have all your ducks in a row and are real organized that will make it faster, also let them know you have a time limit and keep on their butts to get things done. Sometimes you gotta cut through the red tape. Let your surgeon know you are in a hurry and get the office girls on your side, that helps a lot. You can look under surgeons in missouri and see docs and patients experiences with Healthlink.

After I received my approval, I waited two weeks until pre-op testing, three weeks until surgery. It went by so fast! I know that the New Start program has changed slightly since my surgery, and I'm not sure what kind of waiting list Dr. Richardson might have now. You might want to call New Start and ask them what a typical wait time is...last I knew, the person you would need to talk to is named Lenore. If you have seen your PCP over the course of several years, any note in your files about your weight might count towards "medically supervised diet." I was supposed to have 4 years on file, and although I didn't, it somehow all worked out. Good luck! Pamela -132

Christy, I don't know how typical my situation is but here is my experience with Dr. Richardson. The day my insurance approved the surgery they called and told me to start the liquid diet. That was last Thursday. Today I went in for the nutrition class and to meet with the doctor. Tomorrow I will confirm my surgery date of next Tuesday and schedule my pre-op testing for later this week. Deanna

I just got word from the insurance company. Surprise, they need more information. I submitted everything they requested but they want more. They are asking for more medical history, my records with my current PCP is only from 2004 they want it all they way back to 2003. I have already got this is from my last PCP. They are also asking for me to visit a physical therapist for a exercise program. I have not heard of this before. I think there were a few other things but I can't remember. I should get the letter from the insurance in a couple of days. Well, so much for my time constraints. I think I will have to wait until may. That is ok. I was just hoping to becom a loser sooner. Please send prayers my way. Thanks, Christy

My first consult with Dr. Richardson was on 2/14/05 and my surgery was on 4/6/05. I had some weight to lose from 2/14 to 3/15 to ensure I could do the RNY lap instead of open. At the 3/15 appt I was cleared for surgery and I had it 3 weeks later - it actually could have been the last week of March but I had to cram in pre-ops and nut appt in as well prior so I asked for an additional week. I know Dr. Richardson's schedule is getting tighther and tighter as demand for him is increasing. Best wishes!