Can you believe this??

I had POMCO insurance. Got denied and then got denied on appeal. Then my hospital changed to RMSCO ins. Got denied and then got APPROVED on appeal. But now, Dr. Oh is NOT doing surgeries. Something about NYS malpractice insurance. Doesn't know when he will be doing them again. Checked with Dr. Chungfat - he's not doing them either. I am now trying a Dr. Graniero. Can you believe it??

Debbie, I am sorry that you are having all of this trouble, I can not believe all your Dr's are not doing the surgeries..... I hope you find one that you can go to that is doing them still......~Hugs~ I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.... Debra P

Thanks, I need it. It is hard not to get discouraged.

Debbie - I'm so sorry! You're way up north, aren't you? I've heard there is someone doing them in Saranac....perhaps that was Dr. Oh? Dr. Graniero, of course, is in Utica - I know folks I work with who he has done WLS on - they seemed to like him fine. There is also Dr. Simon in Syracuse at Upstate Medical. I went to Dr. Boss in Rochester (same office as Dr. O'Malley). Insurance does seem to be the worst part of the pre-op. I lucked out and got approved, but I sure commiserate with your run around. Keep with it! Alison

I have heard of Dr. Graniero - I am trying to get an appt but it seems to take forever! And yes, I have heard of the Saranac Lake group but they have a LOT of hoops to jump through; even though I have already jumped through a bunch!

Debbie: I CAN believe it. My doctor told me I was on indefinite hold pending a decision by the NYS Insurance Department whether or not to approve or deny his malpractice carrier's request for a 50% increase in premiums. Actually, I had to do all the research myself to find out why my surgery is on hold. His office swears if the malpractice carrier gets its approval he is going to continue doing surgeries. I can't believe I went through all this and now I'm being held up by the insurance company's greed. I sent them an email telling them what I think of them. I also sent one to the Insurance Department telling them there are a lot of us out there being held hostage waiting for their decision. IT SUCKS! Suzanne

That's how I found things out -- I had to do my own research. What I can't figure out is why some physicians ARE doing them still, and some aren't. Good for you for sending e-mails! Talk about GREED.

Debbie, I sent you an email. I am a patient of Dr. Simon in Syracuse at the Bariatric Center. They are absolutely wonderful. Can't say enough good about the compassionate care I have received from them. Since you are already approved by RMSCO and have gone through the process, you may not have to wait that long to get a date. I would definitely give them a call. I have one sister who lives in Massena that is going to this center, and a sister who lives here in Camden that is scheduled for August 15 with Dr. Simon. I'm scheduled for next Tuesday, the 28th. Let me know if I can help you out at all. Take care, Debra

Hey, Good Luck on your surgery. I will give him a call - must be he is still doing the surgeries. I have had everything done - I can't see why another doctor can't just take everything I have ... you know.... pysch consult, nutrition consult, endoscopy, chest x-ray, labs, gall bladder US! Oh well, I won't quit!

Hey debbie, keep your head up and don't give up. Something i did last year and I regret waiting for a year to keep in track. Keep making that phone call to check with other surgean. Should take long sinse you had your test done already.