Anyone going to Mid Ohio Surgical?

Hello.. I'm beginning to get so frustrated. I have had to do several different things and wait for 2 months before even getting my paperwork to fill out for Mid Ohio Surgical. I was excited when I finally got to send it in. Then I get a call from Carrie, from the office, saying that she was sending out 5 day letters? I asked her what that meant, and she said I had to pay $300 within 5 days, or they would have to drop me as a patient! I haven't even been to their office yet! The only reason I decided to go there, was because my friend had her surgery there. Anyway.. I went to Barix today. Not sure about them... Found out their out of network, and my insurance will only pay 60%! That's not good. Okay..I'm rambiling. I'm going to try to get them to give me a 2 week extension on the $300. The real trouble is not knowing what to do. I know what the directions say my insurance requires, but am scared of making a mistake. Does anyone have Aetna PPO? And can anyone give me advice or help with Mid Ohio Surgical? I feel so alone with all of this. I would appreciate anyone who can help. Thanks! Angela

Angela, I'm going through Mid Ohio Surgical as well. I understand your frustrations and have found it to be a very long journey. However, I attended one of the Mt. Carmel support group sessions and found out that is normal for this process. Some hospitals get you in and scheduled for surgery faster, but I have to use MCMC due to insurance so that's that. I, too was a little shocked at having to send them $300.00 so early in the process, but my husband remembers them telling us that at the educational seminar. They say Carrie really knows her insurance stuff and knows what to do to get you approved. If you really do decide to look at other options, OSU has a very good program too. Depending on the surgeon, you could get scheduled for the surgery fairly soon. Good luck and keep your spirits up! Nancy

Thanks for replying! I too, have went to the support meeting. I found it to be very refreshing. It's not so much that I want the surgery done fast, but that I haven't even met with anyone there, and they're asking for money. We've just purchased a home 2 months ago, and the renovation is killing us! So... $300 is virtually impossible. When I explained this to Carrie, she said "I'm sorry, I just follow the rules." So... that makes me feel like they are out for money, instead of the well being of the patients. I thought that the forum we had to wait to go to, to get the process started was their new way of making sure that people are serious. I've been waiting on Mid Ohio Surgical for 5 months already. I have thought about going to OSU, but have read several peoples posts about the hospital, and it doesn't sound like a place that I want to be. I know that I want to stay with MOS. It's just this small problem that is making me frustrated. When you don't have money, you don't have money. Has Carrie helped you with what you need to get to the insurance company? She just sent me a paper with my insurance requirements, and I'm lost. Sorry this is so long...I'm just at my wits end.

HI Angela, I sympathize with your frustration. I am going through Mid Ohio Surgical as well. It is a very long process, but Mount Carmel West is a good hospital. Dr. Price is doing my surgery and he took my gallbladder out 6 years ago so I know how he is and I totally trust him. I agree they could stand to hire another person to work with Carrie on making the approval process and scheduling a bit smoother. I almost switched to Dr. Curry in Cincinnatti because of their latency. I am finally scheduled to have my surgery in December, but I started this process last December, so plan on it taking awhile. I didn't have to pay $300 up front because I got in before they reworked their program. I did, however, have to pay for my consultation $279.00 because my insurance wouldn't cover it. (maybe that is what the $300 is for?????) If you are more interested to see what all I went through with them you can read it in my profile. I have been pretty detailed about it all. I have found from my own experience that if you can get the number of the rep at your insurance that works with your company or if you can have a case manager it really helps. The rep at my husband's company managed my case, when you have a case manager, you talk to the same person every time and you are more likely to get results. It helps a lot in the approval process to deal with someone who is familiar with your case. This also allows you to check on the status of your approval and get straight answers. The $300 thing stinks, but if you really want this I would go for it, if you have 5 months invested into the process, why go elsewhere? Most bariatric programs have costs associated with them. I agree that many say OSU and BTC are good facilities with competent surgeons, but from what I have read on here the process takes about as long with them. Also, if money is a concern, going out of network isn't probably your best option and it sounds like it could cost you considerably more to go to BTC. JMHO. I know how frustrating this all is. When you feel like your health and your life are on the line and in someone else's hands it can cause some serious anxiety. Hang in there. Things will happen and you'll be there before you know it. In the mean time, if I can be of help in any way, I would be happy to. Best wishes to you on your journey. Hugs, Jaimee