My Insurance Craziness

Of all the things going through my head before my surgery a week from tomorrow, my doctor's office calls yesterdy to say my insurance precertification was cancelled.  I lost it.  Called the insurance company, trying to remain sane, and only partially lost it.  Spent a night at home going between screaming mad and sulking depression.  Woke-up this morning and started with the insurance company again. I switched surgeons back in October because I wanted an opinion about an open versus lap procedure.  I decided to go with the open procedure and was on the phone to the insurance company in the surgeon's office when we transferred doctors (I needed to verify that it was me on the phone, so I took the call from the insurance company then handed the phone to the office manager).  Theyapproved the transfer. Yesterday the insurance company tried to tell me they weren't notified of the switch in surgeons.  I told them I was there so they dropped that argument and told me they couldn't reach the doctor to verify.  I pointed out all the conversations they had actually had with the doctor so they dropped that argument.  Today, after I calmed down, the care coordinator "discovered" that the procedure code was changed from a lap to an open procedure, and the code change was the reason the case was closed.   Now it seems like they will put my case through rapid review and I might get approval before next week's date.  No guarentees, of course, and they can take up to 30 days to review.  I have completed pre-op testing and everything else.  The last thing I discovered is that the procedure I am having - the open RNY - is much less expensive than the LAP procedure.  That made me feel hopeful that they will approve.  I know they don't give a tinker's damn about me, but they will certainly hang on to their money! I am not sure that I need anything more than a place to rant about this.  I didn't sleep last night and I realize just how much I have riding on this being an effective tool for a better life.  I resonate with the lack of mobility, aches and pains, marginalization as a fat man and on and on that I read on this list.  I get a lot of validation from the list for where I have been almost all of my life and you guys give me so much hope that there is a different way.  I just hope the insurance company will cooperate so I dont have to start all over again. Thanks for listening, Charlie

Charlie, The same thing happened before my surgery. I was pre approved but never completely approved, whatever that means! It was fixed in a matter oe 48 hrs. I had the surgery on Friday instead of Monday. Good Luck

Charlie, I feel for you man.  I hope it all gets worked out soon.  Good luck!

Paul