Question on insurance submission

Hi,

I was wondering how many of you had to undergo all the testing, etc. before their doctor submitted for insurance approval?

I have been in the process of trying to have surgery since November and am really getting frustrated with the process with my doctor. All of my testing is completed EGD, sleep study, blood work, chest x-ray, stress test, 3-month supervised diet, physician letter and am getting my CPAP next week . My physician has everything they requested for the procedure, but still have not submitted to my insurance to even see if I am approved yet! I was told back in May things would be submitted to my insurance and still nothing has been done. I'm getting so frustrated that I would like to find another doctor, but I don't want to be out even more expense for the tests the other doctor would most likley order, as I know most doctors like to do their own tests.

So, in short, now that I think about it it seems backwards. I was thinking doctors might want to know if you are approved yet before ordering all of the tests.

Thank you for reading.

Call the office and tell them that it should be submitted by now! Ask them whats the hold up. Put pressure on them! Thats horrible that they would make you wait.

BTW they neeed to do your testing before its submitted they gotta make sure you are healthy enough for the surgery.

I finished my sleep study last night which was my final 'requirement' before visiting the surgeon to discuss everything and submit to insurance.  To my knowledge, you have to to the tests first so they can be sure you are healthy enough to have the surgery.  I had to stay on my doctor's office like white on rice to get my appointments in.  They were slack.  If they did not make the appointment, I called and made it. No messing around on me! LOL

And I feel like a hypocrite for saying this but patience is a virtue (this from she who has fits when they do not act NOW).  However, you have been going through this since November. CALL THEM!  If you need to borrow my black woman neck swirling move to get them on their toes, let me know.  You can hold it for one day! LOL

LOL AJ! I might just be calling upon you soon to borrow that neck swirl! ;o)

Thank you everyone for responding. I will be patient and wait a little longer. I think because I have everything done, then I just want it done right now! But, I just wish they would just say, Hey! We want to make sure you are healthy. And not just ignore my messages and e-mails.

You are all simply the best, and I feel blessed I have a forum with such wonderful people here to give advice and to gripe to when need be.

I hope it goes quickly for you AJ. Who knows maybe we will have our surgeries together!

Big, big hugs!!

PAJ call the surgeons office and ask to speak with the office manager and tell her the fustrations you have gone through and see if the squeeky wheel gets oiled

I had a similar problem with my drs office. I called every other day to ask if it had been submited and if the answer was no then i argued why not. Finally it was turned in last monday. I just kept calling and calling, this is your life and if they think that your are being a pain then so what. Things need to get moving in order to get an end result.
good luck!  PM me if you want to talk.
Hugs,
Tiffany

 You need to call and ask them if they've submitted, keep calling until they do. You are their boss and they are working for you. If you don't like the treatment you are getting, find a new surgeon, one that wants to help you in getting WLS. You have to be proactive throughout this process and advocate for yourself. 

Yes you need all the testing before submitting to insurance. Like others have said it's to determine you are healthy enough for surgery. If you do decide to switch surgeons it's no big deal, just get all your medical records and tests from the old one. They transfer, most tests are good for 6 months to a year, you may have to repeat blood work or chest x-ray but those are easy to do. The longer they wait to submit the more likely you are going to have to repeat some of your workup. 

Don't be afraid to call. If they feel harrassed or pestered that's their problem (maybe they have guilt over not doing their job right) you can't help how others feel, all you can do is worry about yourself.

Hi Calimom,

They submitted on the 11th. I got my approval on the 17th and I have a surgery date of July 7th. I had another seminar set up when I got the news!

Thank you for your response.