HI all,

I am writing to let you know that my insurance approved me on the first go around (APWU/Cigna PPO).

I contribute this to Dr. Fitzer's excellent staff and my previous work trying to collect from insurance when I did patient related research grad school.

 

One thing that could have been a bump along the way was the primary doc's letter of recommendation. My NP insisted she sent it, Dr. Fitzer's group insisted that they did not receive it. In the end, it was SENT BUT it was a one line sentence in the middle of some blood work results. If your insurance requires a LETTER, make sure it is a LETTER (i.e. its own stand alone piece of paper) and has all the magic words/wording the insurance company requires/wants to see.  If it requires you booking an appointment and dictating the letter to your primary doc, DO NOT BE AFRAID to do so. THis is what you are paying them the 15 dollar copay for. You are not being rude, you are being assertive and getting things done.

Remember, insurance companies make/save money by denying claims and not authorizing surgeries. Do the formalities right (i.e. give them a letter when they want a letter, their silly magic wording and etc), so they can not easily and quickly deny your claim.

Next, if some procedure does not go through because it is not covered try to find if there is a way to recode it or at least part of it. Instead of having an experimental procedure, see if it can be broken down into blood draw and assay...etc etc.

I am all set for New years eve!  I even went and booked a european facial 2 days before my operation so I can be beautiful while in hospital.  Gotta give honey somethign good to look at when he comes to visit me and nail polish is out ...

 

Send positive mental energy my way please.  A "big loser" energy too!

 

Congrats! I will also add that folks read their insurance policies. Do not just take the word of customer service. Doctor's offices are sometimes lousy at submitting ALL needed information.

Excellent advice!  I have even called mine a few times for clarification.

Doing cartwheels for you!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! what awesome news and what awesome way to start the New Year ... I am soooooooooooo happy for you!!!!

AWWWW!!!  Thank you!  I am happy too! Now that everything is all settled I feel as if I "can relax" in the process.

:)

Also, expect lots of sewing questions!  Singer just had their large dressform on sale for 89 dollars at overstock (that is like half off) so I ordered it. Then I went to fabulous fit.com and order all the padding to get it up to my size with my lumps and bumps (like a large tush and tummy).

 

Burda PLUS has also been ordered!  I and "Old Betsy" are ready!!!.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE sewing questions ask away I'll help if I can ... OMG that dressform for $89 is a total win ... I made my own duct tape dressform and can't remember when last I used a pattern it has been eons ... I see a style or several that I like .. I sketch it, combine it .. make my own pattern and cut and sew as I go ... my best gift ever was my Brother Project Runway computerized embroidery and sewing machine ... a gift from my DD and I just knew I was in trouble when she gave it to me ..the first thing she did was bug me to make her and one of her friends gowns for this function they had ... I did not mind .. I wanted that machine as my friend Fini had recently purchased one and was making awesome things with it.  I got the duct tape dressform instructions online .. it takes two to wrap and you need the other person to cut you out of the form so you can stuff and seal when done ... all was going well until my goofy husband went to answer the doorbell and goes off with our neighbor FORGETTING me stuck in the darn dressform on a hot summer day at that ... I had to hop to the door and start screaming his name across the yards for him to come back .. he is an airhead so totally forgetful at times LOL... HAVE FUN WITH IT!!!

Congratulations, I'm so so happy for you.