Venting....Dr. Patterson's office

Ok, as ya all know I am waiting for insurance Approval, I already had my consult with Dr. Patterson, and they won't give me a date until I am approved by United. My consult was the 21st. I have called twice and United hasn't recieved anything from Dr. Patteson yet. I called their office on Friday of last week and asked them to call me back (left a message), but nobody called me back! So I call today and the word is that Sheri hasn't even recieved Dr. Patterson's dictation and my paperwork won't be submitted until then! So why has almost 2 weeks gone by and I am no better off? And why is that I hear of other people getting their dates during the consult? UGH! I hate this. I know Dr. Patterson just got back on the 21st, I was one of the first consults, so why is it taking 2 weeks for her to speak into a recorder and give it to whomever needs it? Or is that a lame excuse the office is giving me? I have waiting too long to play this waiting game for NO REASON! Thankx for letting me vent, LOL! Brandi

AHHHH!!! I feel your pain! I think that is way too long to get the paperwork out. When I was in to see Dr. Hong - Dr. Patterson was at the front desk talking the receptionist. I really had to bite my tongue from saying "I can't wait for Brandi's surgery date. We are so excited for her!". I figured she wouldn't be able to comment because of patient confidentiality, or who knows if I am the only one who uses my real name on here? I should have said something...then maybe she would have hurried back and got your file going! I can't defend the delay at all, but I do think the clinic is very professional and in my case has been very timely and organized about things. I would make the noise to get things going, and move on. I can advise that in my case I got a copy of the entire package going to my insurance. I then called my insurance and found out the exact department and name it was going to be going to for approval. I faxed the file that day. I then called about every three days "I was calling to check on the status of my approval. Can you let me know what the process is. Please let me know when it is scheduled to be reviewed, etc." I tried to not be annoying in my manner, kind of befriended the woman and made her really understand how much I needed to hear the news. I wrote it all down, and when one woman said they hadn't recieved it yet, I was able to give the date and name of who had received the fax. They don't like to be pushed or harrassed, but sometimes if they want to help you, getting progress can be as simple as walking down a floor to check it's status. It ended up getting approved about a week before they recieved the package from Dr. Hong. Some of that was because in a big insurance company things can take weeks to wind through the mail system and processing procedure. You can do it! It is going to happen! Patty

Your soo sweet! It is my real name by the way..LOL! I really am holding myself back from calling back today. I talked with them 2 hours ago and they said they would verify with Dr. Patterson about the dictation and then get back with me. But ohhhh, it hurts to just be waiting!!!! LOL! I am trying to not be annoying, cause I know the office and the insurance company must get impatient people like me all the time who call every hour. I don't want to be "that person". I find myself wondering how long can I wait for the call back today before I call them again? 2 more hours? 2 more days? I was told the process from consult to approval took 3 weeks, but how can that be if United hasn't even recieved my paperwork yet? Thankx for the response, it's soo nice to know I have this board to back me up, lift me up, and push my a$$ in gear..LOL! Brandi p.s and if you do see Dr. Patterson, feel free to hand her a knife and tell her I am ready!

I don't have experience with that office but I can understand your frustration. So what if you're "that person"? It's YOUR surgery! lol I say call 'em enough and they'll get going on it! Of course, you could be like me and email Dr. Patterson directly. I did that because the front office wasn't calling me back when I was considering her for surgery. She did respond. Email me and I'll give it to you if you want it. No worries....you'll be scheduled before you know it! Michele

I would love her email address! Nobody ever called me back yesterday so I am calling them again today. I really am getting impatient, and I know it. But I thought things would work a little more like a well oiled machine at that office. Brandi