I have questions?????

I have some questions...i am awaiting approval from my insurance company right now. When I get approved, I'm having my surgery at Centennial Women's hospital in Nashville. I prefer Dr. Houston or Dr. Olsen to do my surgery but I don't really care who. My insurance company is changing Jan 1 to BCBS of TN. My question is, if my insurance company now approves me but my insurance is approved to late in order to have the surgery this year. Will my new insurance company honor the approval and let me have the surgery? Does any one know? My other question is, I am 3 hours away and I'm curious how many trips I will have to make before I have surgery. When I go for my first consult, will they go ahead and let me do the psych eval and meet with a nutrionist or will I have to do that separate. Has anyone ever scheduled their first consult w/dr before they know if they are approved or not. The reason for that question is I have to be back in Nashville on 12/10 with my mother...she's having knee replacement surgery the first of the year. I just thought the more I could get out of the way the better, the doctor may not let me set an appt until I'm approved. Does anyone know?

It depends on the Dr. Most of them will see you first, give you a list of what they want done, most of which you can do thru your PCP. You will have to attend a seminar for that doctor. Call ahead and ask that they send you the paperwork so that you can have it filled out by the time you attend the seminar. Once you have met the Dr.'s requirements and any stipulations from your insurance, then they will process the paperwork to your insurance company. If you can get prior approval from your insurance, make sure they tell you in a letter for your Dr. That will help move things faster. As for BC/Bs of TN, good luck getting it approved. You will have to appeal and all your Dr.'s letters must state medically necessary. Hope that helps. I have medicare/tn state medicade with TnCare Blue Care. I don't need approval, but if the Governor drops the TcCare, I am hoping that I will still qualify for the medicade program and if they will cover over a thousand dollars a month in medications. Hugs, Kathy

You will have to re-qualify w/your new insurance company. Each insurance company has different stipulations & requirements.