RE: Surgery Date

Well I went to see my doctor today to get my surgery date, but I did not get my date. I was kind of upset about it. First, appointment was at 2:30. My husband and I got there at about 2:10. I did not get seen until 3:20. Then the doctor talked to me for all of 10 minutes and then sent me to the lady who sets the appointments. My husband and I go into the girls office and the first thing she says is we cannot set an appointment until we have submitted all your paperwork. I told her that my paperwork has been completed for over a week now. She said that they will go ahead and submit it to Tricare today and then I have to wait 2-4 weeks for Tricare to approve it and then they will give me a call and set my surgery date. I was mad about that. I was wondering what they have been doing with my paperwork. I finished all my tests over a week ago. I was so excited when I went to the doctor's office today. I was so excited about getting my surgery date. And then this. So now I am going to be checking the Tricare website and calling every other day. So now my question is, how long did it take for Tricare to approve you once all your paperwork was completed?

Hi taressa, I am so sorry about the bad day. I can only imagine how mad you are. I know that you are on pins and needles waiting for the surgery date. I am slightly behind you on the stages. I have one appointment left...for this coming Monday.(Psyc.evaluation). The coordinator for the doctor I am seeing said it would be two weeks after I see the Psycologist that the reports would be ready and sent to them. They would immediately send all my paper work after that to Tricare. She said Tricare usually takes only around 48 hours to approve . From there I set up an appointment with my Dr. and at that appointment set a date. I am like you ..I don't understand the waiting in between. Don't get me wrong I will do whatever is necessary to have the operation; but considering that Tricare only takes 48 hours to approve I don't understand the waitng a few weeks inbetween. Best wishes to you. I will pray that you have a speedy approval, and a new date to see your surgeon ...QUICKLY!!! Jaye Jaye

TaReesa, It only took just over 24 hours for my approval once Tri-care received my paperwork so don't worry about it taking 2-4 weeks. Just keep going online and checking to see if you have been approved. Good luck. Leann

What a disapointing day. I would be upset also. It will get better. My paper work was faxed in late Friday evening and it was approved early Monday morning. It usually only takes them 24-48 hours to approve. The Dr office has to wait until they get the approval letter before they can schudule your surgery. That only took another day for me. They called me and gave me a choice of one week or 2 or more my choice. Of course I took the first one. Hopefully they will approve you by Friday. The longest process for me was getting all the reports in and then the Surgeon dictates a letter and then the insurance person puts everthing together and faxes them in. It does take a while for this to get done. If they submit it wrong, you will get denied for some silly reason and that is a real setback. So, try to be patient. They should have told you these things so you were prepared and not expecting a date. If the office is busy, it can take them a week or more to get the paper work together. I'm sending big HUGS for you to help you feel better. Diana

Thanks, I needed to hear that. I guess I am just so anxious. I did wish they had told me before hand that I would not be getting a date. Oh well. I guess I have no choice but to wait.

Do you have any word yet? Did Tricare receive your paperwork or approve you yet? Once Tricare had my paperwork, it took under 48hrs to get approved. Crossing fingers and praying for you!! Andi

No word yet. I called the doctor's office Wednesday. They said that they are still waiting from some of my paperwork to come in. They said that they will probably submit my paperwork next week sometime. And you best believe I am going to call!!! So I am still playing the waiting game. I keep hearing that it doesn't take long to get approved. Now I am just waiting for the doctor's office to submit my paperwork. I am keeping my fingers crossed. I will let everyone know. Wish me luck.