I gotta letter...

From my insurance company. It states I'm approved for RNY surgery. However, I still haven't heard the results of my sleep study, met with a nutritionist, or finished my testing. Do you think they're jumping the gun a little? Could they have approved me by mistake, too early? Do I call the insurance company, or should I just set up an apointment for surgery and run with it? I'm a little confuzzed. DD

DD, Calle the surgeon.  If they don't already know, they need to and get yourself scheduled.  Appraently something that was submitted qualified yuo for approval.  Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Run with it.  Sleep study is not mandatory, nutristionist is not mandatory and tests are up to the surgeon if they require it, unless your insurance does.  I'd guess they don't. Your current doctor verified health and condition, length of time you have been overweight, possibly supervised diet and exercise are determining factors. Congrads on getting approved.  Soon you can be one of us losers too!!!  I had open RNY 9/26 and have lost 131 lbs to date with 97 left to lose to goal (408 to 275; going for 180). I would have never believed it could happen this fast. Joe

Joe, I called scheduling at the hospital. The lady that sets up my appointments is on lunch. I left a message. I should know more this afternoon.  Your right though. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. If they're ready, I'm ready. Lets "Git-r-done". Congrats on your weight loss. I'm impessed, and just a little bit jealous  Keep it up. DD

Congrats Double 'D'!! It won't be long now!! Semper Fidelis!

run with that one...i wish i was that lucky

Someones looking out for you, The last call you want to make is with to the insurance company. GET ER DUN !!!! Make copies of the letter and put the original in the safe just so you always have a copy.

DD, Usually with the sleep study, it is only "supporting" reason (Sleep Apnea) used in order to be approved. Many are approved who have NO Sleep Apnea issues. The other ‘tests’ are used to determine if you need to adjust blood chemistry- (like get your blood ox levels or Albumin levels up prior to surgery. None of them are "deal breakers." Many are needed to get enough reasons gathered together to warrant surgery. If you have enough ‘obvious reasons’ such as Higher BMI, the other tests won’t delay actual approval. Do make sure your surgeon’s office got the same info…. Ins and Docs offices are notorious for "missing one another’s calls, letters and faxes." Best Wishes- Dx

Dx I'm on the Doc's records as being approved for surgery, also.  My BMI was 45. I'm diabetic and on drugs for high blood pressure. Apparently, that was enough for my insurance provider.  Just waiting for the scheduler to return my call. I'm thinking I'll at least need to talk to the nutritionist before they schedule me for a "plumbing re-route".  I'm ready to be thin, but surgery scares the bejeepers out of me. Last May I went in for a biopsy and ended up spending 6 days in Intensive care. The scariest, most miserable time of my life. It's also when I was diagnosed with hypertension and type II diabetes- starting this whole journey. If this surgery will give me some semblence of my old life back, I'm willing to face the knife one more time. Wish me luck. DD DD

DD,  Congratulations of getting the insurance approval.  That was the biggest worry for me.  My suggestion now is to keep in contact with your surgeon’s office to make sure they got the same insurance letter that you did.  Call them daily if you have to.  Don’t be afraid to be a pest.  Paperwork often gets lost, overlooked, misfiled, etc.  I know, it happened to me.

DD, congrats on the insurance approval.  Run with it.  Sleep study is pretty quick and one night.  Nutritionist is one meeting, schedule it.