Waiting after initial consultation...

Hi! I am new here. I just had my consultation 3 weeks ago at The Cleveland Center for Bariatric Surgery at St. Vincent and Charity Hospital. I saw Dr Shreiber and felt really good about moving forward with the process. I was told I would hear from them within a week or two after my file returned to my case specialist from insurance review. My case specialist told me she knew I would need a psychological evaluation, so I started that process of finding a psychologist and completed the evaluation already. I called CCBS during the process of finding a psychologist and they never returned my call. Not only did I call, I also emailed both the case specialist and the office manager asking for a list of psychologists..I never heard from either of them. Then after two weeks I called just to check if my file had reached my case specialist yet and she told me she didn't have it yet and she would call me when she got it. She seemed kind of annoyed that I was bothering her. I am concerned since I haven't heard from CCBS as I was told I would, so I called them on Tuesday and they still have not returned my call! Should I keep calling or just wait to hear from them. Does it usually take this long to get the information together to send to the insurance company? I just want to know if they need any other tests or info before submitting to my insurance. I am anxious to get this moving because I know the insurance company can take awhile to approve me. Also, I am starting to have second thoughts about going with CCBS since I totally feel like a number to them. I would think that they should return my calls within a day or two.. is this a sign of their service? I am not really comfortable if they are not answering my calls now, what will my care be like following the surgery? If I have problems, will they take their time calling me back? Should I just be patient and wait? Has anyone else out there had this experience with CCBS? Are my expectations for returning calls within 2 days unrealistic?

Hi Tina, I can't comment on CCBS but what I can tell you is there is NOTHING that makes me any more angry than not receiving a call back-even if its just to say they got my message and they will contact me with more information later. Not only is it rude to ignore, in my book, its just bad business! I had a consult with a larger facility and was told incorrect things. Mainly, that they would do ANYTHING to get me approved. What a joke that was! I wasted 5 months of trying to get things moving only to find out, there was no reason to count on them as they didn't want to deal with my insurance. 5 months of calling and waiting for them to return my calls, etc. What I finally did was left the message that this was the (number) time I had called them without having them return my call and the next call I was going to make was to their supervisor! I further told them if they didn't want my business, I'd go elsewhere. I should have taken the lack of calling me back as a sign they really didn't want my business and I could have gone elsewhere sooner! Good luck and hang tough! Beth

Hi Tina I had surgery at St Vincents on 4/22/04. I feel for you.....the waiting is the hardest thing. CCBS is a very busy office and sometimes they don't contact you in a timely manner....I would just be more patient with them.....I would stick to just e-mailing them for a while....I e-mailed my case manager 2 or 3 times a week and always received a response within 48 hours of e-mailing her. Everyone at CCBS are the greatest and it was worth a little extra waiting. This was my timeline: January 28th Surgeon Consultation February 16th Psych Evaluation March 1st Insurance Approval March 16th Cardiac Clearance March 23rd Pre Admission Testing April 22nd Surgery Day So from my consultation until surgery date was about 3 months total....but most of that time was waiting for my psych evaluation and cardiac clearance appointments. My insurance was approved in 2 days. I know that you want this surgery........just be patient and it will happen for you. Take care and Good Luck, Roger

Tina, I have your same doctor and I am having the same problem with his asst. either not returning my calls or acting like I anoy her when I call and ask questions. I will stick with them because I'm impressed with Dr. Shreiber and record in surgery. But if I had to do it again I would tell anyone to check up a baractic center just like when your checking on a business through the better business bereau. I don't call often but when I do I like more than a two words. I have done everything they ask and all I want to know is this everthing you need. I will be patient and vent with wonderful people like you and vice versa. We will get through, we have god our families and the best surgeon in this field.

I am having a little trouble with getting things done in a timely manner as well through the staff of surgeon I have choosen I gave all information needed for medicaid at my consultation however it was not turned in with my request which will more than likely cause a delay in an approval and I called on wednesday and ask if they could call an automated response system to get at status on the request however I was told today that they are only open from 10-2 (???????I thought it was automated response?????) and she did not get around to doing it ...I am also getting the impression I am annoying her but you know what I don't care I do work I pay for my medicaid through my taxes I have it because I work for a small company that the insurance is outrages for a single person with children to afford.I called medicaid myself on tuesday the man there told me it takes about 4-6 weeks for an answer .I guess I am a little steamed and I completely understand you being upset that someone you will be paying is giving you the run around.I am going to continue to call and call because the squeeky wheel gets the grease

Just wanted to thank you for your encouragement and advise! It is good to know that I am not alone! I will hang in there and hopefully get through this frustration soon. God Bless! Tina M.

Tina, This is a thought.....you might want to check out Dr. Craig Eyman at Parma Community Hospital.....I totally understand about St. V.... I went to the initial meeting a few years ago and felt like a cow amongst the heard. Dr. Eyman's practice is small, but a very caring and understanding person with a staff that shares the fact that each person is a human being..... Everyone has their own thoughts....just thought I'd share mine with you... Good Luck... Nancy