UF @ Shands Review and Approval Time?
Hello everyone!
Just wondering if anyone on this forum has used University of Florida at Shands for a VSG? I'm scheduled with Dr. Ayzengard as my primary there, I've been through all the paperwork, labs, appointments, even did a 6mos supervised diet on my own accord b/c I was afraid they would say I had to anyway. I contacted my insurance company (BCBS of FL, State Employee plan) and got the rundown on requirements sent to me just so I knew what to expect (and they DID require the 6mos diet study). I followed all the rules so far, and was told July 10th that my chart was in review. I saw on their website it could take from 30-45 days; I questioned the insurance specialist and she stated it would take 30-45 days total from physician's review of my chart for completion to insurance approval in total. I'm now at day 33. I wrote to the insurance specialist and she stated she would let me know when it was 'finished with review', but hadn't heard anything yet. I called my insurance company and they said they didn't do pre-approvals for procedures and had nothing on record. I'm at a loss now. I am trying to be patient, but I'm worried I'm going to get lost in the possible giant stack of bariatric requests....anyone else had theirs done recently at UF in Gainesville, FL and can give me some insight? I hate to keep aggravating this lady if it's unnecessary and out of her hands....
Hello everyone!
Just wondering if anyone on this forum has used University of Florida at Shands for a VSG? I'm scheduled with Dr. Ayzengard as my primary there, I've been through all the paperwork, labs, appointments, even did a 6mos supervised diet on my own accord b/c I was afraid they would say I had to anyway. I contacted my insurance company (BCBS of FL, State Employee plan) and got the rundown on requirements sent to me just so I knew what to expect (and they DID require the 6mos diet study). I followed all the rules so far, and was told July 10th that my chart was in review. I saw on their website it could take from 30-45 days; I questioned the insurance specialist and she stated it would take 30-45 days total from physician's review of my chart for completion to insurance approval in total. I'm now at day 33. I wrote to the insurance specialist and she stated she would let me know when it was 'finished with review', but hadn't heard anything yet. I called my insurance company and they said they didn't do pre-approvals for procedures and had nothing on record. I'm at a loss now. I am trying to be patient, but I'm worried I'm going to get lost in the possible giant stack of bariatric requests....anyone else had theirs done recently at UF in Gainesville, FL and can give me some insight? I hate to keep aggravating this lady if it's unnecessary and out of her hands....
Most businesses, including insurance companies who give you a time line, like 30-45 days mean business days. They don't count Saturday and Sunday or holidays in the count, so there is that.
Mad fat as your 6 mont diet, it has to be a supervised diet, supervised by your pro or WE or another agency your insurance company recognizes. Did you do it that way or totally on your own?
Yes, it was supervised. I've been working with my own PCP locally for almost 2 years now trying to lose weight and he highly recommended bariatric surgery. I continued to see him while going through this process, just used my monthly appointments as my 6mos diet as well as keep in touch with him.
Good to know that it's 30-45 business days, that at least makes me feel like I'm not running out of time or getting lost in a pile!
