What do I do now???? PLEASE HELP

I had my surgery on June 9 2004. The doctors office told me they had finally recieved approval for my surgery so I was schedule for lap on that day. The doctor ran into problems during the surgery so had to switch to an open RNY. Now the insurance company says,.... First they never gave approval. Then said they have a blank approval but doesnt say what it is for. Then it is the hospital needed to get preapproval to switch to an open RNY instead of the Lap. They paid the doctor but are refusing to pay the hospital bill. They said the contract was not follow. The doctors office said well on the approval letter it say that it doesnot guarenteen payment. They never told me this. What do I do now.

First, get a copy of your approval letter. What does it say? Did your surgeon submit for prior-approval of benefits? No insurance company would expect a surgeon to call them in the middle of an operation to say that there were complications, and they need to switch to an open procedure. You are getting the Royal Run a Round. It's just ridiculous. You need to appeal, and not on the phone. Fight the good fight! Roberta