Last minute insurance freak out!

Okay, for those who have read my previous post and profile you know I've been going through hell and back trying to get info on my pre-auth.  Since my MD's office insurance lady isn't there half the time (and no one does her job when she's off!!) I have had to call my insurance company myself.  So here I am less than a week away from supposed surgery date (16th) with no auth and being told it's still "pending" and "going between two of the review people".  So, aside from virtual hugs, virtual Valium and support I need, I do have a valid question in this rant.  Has anyone else gone through this last minute crap?  I have BCBS PPO and they said it has been in review since Sept 28th (I gave the last of the info needed to my MD's office on the 6th) and if that's the case and they take their customary 2-3 weeks I'll either know last minute or be totally screwed.  I don't know what I'll do, I've already exhausted my vacation time taking off for 3 weeks after the 16th and my shifts are already taken so I have no choice now and won't have the vacation time to do this again.  I just want to know so I can celebrate and relax before my surgery, everyone else seems to have fun celebrating being approved, has anyone else been down the wire like this, is it normal for it to be this close?

My surgeons office would not give me a date until i was all approved .. i guess this is why .. I'm so sorry for your waiting .. I know it sucks .. best thing i can offer is to call everyday .. tell them you are booked for surgery and you need to talk to someone who can give you an answer.  I was told to make a pain in the ass out of myself... I have a hard time doing that, so the first time i called and they didnt have an answer for me  i waited a week and called back .. you dont have that kinda time.. maybe ask to speak to a supervisor .. that could help.

My surgeons office also would not schedule me with a date until they heard that I was approved. I got the "youre approved" call from the girl at the office (almost fainted) then she said..here are the dates he has open right now, when shall we schedule you? I would also, keep calling, more than one time, each day. I would be really nice, kill them with kindness. Be a NICE pain in the ass. Talk to several people. Make them ALL (nicely) remember your name. Tell them (nocely) that you are freaking out, and there is no more time that you can wait to find out about the approval. You dont want to have a $65,000 bill in your mailbox in 2 months. Just remember these 2 things: "you get more with honey than vinegar" "the squeaky wheel gets the oil." GOOD LUCK!

Thank you for the support, I kept on track (being nice but assertive) and finally got my approval!  Whew, with 6 days to go no less    now I can "relax" and only worry about the surgery itself which weirdly enough worries me less than the insurance part.  I am a numbers girl so I keep repeating "0.5-1% is a lower chance of dying than probably the drive the hospital itself".  Wish me luck!