Feeling lost

Hi, I was denied for the lap band surgery and feel like I am going at this alone.  The surgeons office wont return my calls or emails and really don't seem like they will help with the appeal.  I have emailed [email protected], Steve Kalman at bandedlawyer.com, and Gary and I havent heard one reply.  I don't know if I am being impatient and annoying but  I just don't know where to start.  My insurance says I need to be 100 lbs overweight, and have medical problems like heart disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes or etc.  I don't have any of those other than the weight and other medical problems.  But I don't know if I should do this alone or what.  Guess I am just venting and running around in circles trying to get started on the appeal.  Thanks for listening. Chrissy

I've read that this can take YEARS. SO keep appealing, keep going, don't give up, and FIND your policies from your insurance company, and read them over & over again. Also, make sure your company did not exclude the surgery.  I am just now starting. :)  LOL!  I expect a headache! 

Thank you, I am not going to give up this easily.  I am willing to put up a fight!   Thanks again, Chrissy

My insurance also states that I have to be 100lbs over weight with a medical problem.  I have no medical problems as of right now, but I am right at 100lbs over weight.  I am going in for a sleep test and hopefully I will not pass.  I don't think i have sleep apnea but I guess the little test I took said I might....I hope so.  As of right now, I don't think I will be approved.  I am also very frustrated.  When I was pregnant both times I had gestational diabetes.  That tells me that if I keep the weight on then I WILL have diabetes later on.  Why should I wait till I get it???  Insurance sucks!!!!  What insurance do you have, if you dont mind me asking?  I have Tri-Care. I dont know anything about appeals, but I'm sure in about a month or so I will be on here asking the same questions.  I do have to say that your surgeons office should be treathing you MUCH better.  Mine is great and they seem very willing to help me through this. Hang in there!!! *Ellen

Hi Ellen, I have sloans lake, mountain states admin.  I just took the diabetes test and am waiting for that.  I am the same way, praying I atleast have prediabetes.  I know that is kind of weird but understand about the sleep apnea test.  I am going to ask about that next.  I am really getting frustrated with the surgeons office.  I know I am not the only patient, but at least they could return my calls.  I am really thinking about switching to a different one.  But I really like the actual dr., just the insurance lady is difficult to talk to.   Good luck with your stuff. Chrissy

I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant both times, but I guess that doesn't count.  My father also died at 39 from a heart attack.  I would think that that would put a red flag up to say that just because i look healthy on the inside right now, that i WILL have many problems down the road.  Like I said before, I guess I have to wait to be dying to get approved.  Well, good luck with your diabetes!!  It is sad that we wish to have something wrong with us to get something done!! Take care!

Well no word yet on the diabetes, but just found out yesterday that I have arthritis in my foot and ankle.  That should help I would think. Chrissy