Has anyone every switched surgeons?

I've been having trouble getting my surgery approved at Vanderbilt.  My second denial came at the beginning of April and I was told that my Surgeon was going to do a peer to peer with my insurance company.  It's now going on a month and I've attempted to contact him, the insurance specialist has attempted to contact him TWICE and I've heard nothing back.  I just really get the feeling that he could care less about me.  So my question is, has anyone changed surgeon's and/or hospitals once they've gotten this far into the process?  I'm just really frustrated and think that maybe if I switch to Centennial or somewhere they may be more on the ball and get something done.

Any thoughts????

Thanks,
Heather

Heather,

In MY OPINION, and this is just my opinion.. but it is your body, and if you would feel comfortable under a different surgeon, then you should research and see where you would like to go.   NOW with that being said, as you can see I'm a Dr. Richard's patient, and I know he is out of the office for a couple of weeks.   BUT I've never felt like he could care less about me, he is a wonderful man and wonderful doctor.  He was so wonderful during my time in the hospital, and his staff are great, too so I am at a loss as to what could be happening.    I am wondering if in the move, things are getting lost in the shuffle?!?! 

I am so sorry you are going through all of this!!!!   But follow your head and heart and things will all work out in the end!

HUGS!
Amy

Amy,
I finally heard back and my peer to peer was also denied.  I just don't know what's going on.  My insurance isn't telling me why it's denied.  I'm just bummed.  I just think that maybe if I change hospitals they might find the missing key or something.  It shouldn't be this difficult!  My god I'm 5'7" 300lbs, very very insulin resistant type 2 diabetic, high blood pressure, high cholesterol patient!  My weight hasn't been below 240 pounds in at least 7 years.  It just isn't making any sense.  I don't mean to rant, it's just upsetting.

Please do not apologize for ranting and venting...  this board is here for support in the good and bad.    I am NOT sure, somone who does insurance better than I can correct me if I am wrong, but I am thinking if you ask (in writing) why you were denied they have to tell you the reasons?

Good luck!
HUGS

OH MY GOODNESS!!!! You are not the only one.
I  was already approved and everything. I have been 3
weeks since I was approved and still no surgery date.
No body can help you get anything done. The last
person I talked to over a Vandy said "let's just take
baby steps" i've been there already 4 mths I am all
done with the baby steps. I  am now switched over to
Centennial. They called my insurance and I am already
approved for Centennial. Consult with Dr. Houston on
May 5.  They are so nice and helpful at Centennial,
you won't believe the difference. That 250.00 for the
nut. visits down the drain.

Amen to that!  I've contacted Centennial and they've sent me a new patient packet and I'm so close to filling it out.  I thought Vanderbilt would be fantastic because wel....it's Vanderbilt!  So I'm giving them until the end of next week to see what can be done and then depending I may or may not be going to Centennial.

As for the $250, that's such a rip off!!!!!!  I mean if insurance will cover it at Centennial why wouldn't it be covered at Vanderbilt?!

I have come to the conclusion,losing 250.00 is not worth
the waiting and waiting and waiting. Maybe it's done on
purpose, so people won't leave after spending that
money. It worked on me for awhile.
You will figure it out. I prayed alot about it. I'll pray for
you too. Hang in there.

 Honestly, I know people in many different states that have went through the process and had surgery and the money for the nutritional visits and such is very common and not covered by most insurance. Just be glad it was only $250 and not higher like alot of them I've heard. I don't know how Centennial does it, but it was worth it to me. I sat through the seminar at Centennial and found at that though the hospital is covered the surgeons are not through Aetna. And for me it was a blessing, because Dr. Williams was the best doctor I could hope for and the staff there is great. I'm sorry to hear that you've had a bad experience, I can't say I've heard alot of the same stories. I wish you luck in finding a surgeon and program that you are happy with, it's very important that you do, because the surgery is a big step. Good Luck!

I did want to add one thing...  I have friends who have had surgery Vanderbilt, Centennial, and Baptist.  They all have a wonderful program... . I started out with Baptist, but couldn't get approval.  AND I worked at ST. Thomas which is a sister hospital!!!  So those things happen...  whether its someone who falls through the cracks (and yes sometimes that happens, unfortunately due to the healthcare field being so busy and understaffed, which will always be the case)...  or whether insurance companies are just being horses patoots...  (which, we all know thats always going to be a problem too!)... 

I landed at Centennial.  I also do believe that each of us are meant to travel a certain road...  and sometimes a door is closed before us to get us to the place we really need to be.  Maybe your place is Baptist, maybe its Vanderbilt, maybe its Centennial... Maybe its not even any of the above...  but somewhere entirely different... 

Hi Heather,  




Check your mail sunshine!!!!!