Hi, I am new here.

Hi everyone. My name is Monica and I am 37 yrs old. I live in Michigan. I am kind of shy, but need to talk to people who have been, or are in, the same situation I am in....

I began my quest to seek insurance approval for surgery in October. My insurance company called me 2 weeks ago telling me I am approved, and that I must have a required pysch eval before I can actually see the doctor.

I am wondering a few things. Is there any chance I can be denied at this point? And how long can I expect to wait for a surgery date? Oh yes, and are there any test I must first go threw in order to arrive at the surgery date?

TIA,

Monica

Hi Monica,
I'm Mag. 5 weeks post-op. The one thing I can tell you is that every insurance and doctor is different.  There may still be a few hoops to jump through.  I would think once your ins. has approved you I can't think that they would revoke it. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.    

Hello Monica,

I'm pre-op and new here too.  I'm 34 and in Portland OR area.

All I can share is my experience... Doctors, insurance, and situation are all different. 

For me, I applied to my insurance mid Dec. 2010.  I was approved in mid Jan. 2011.  I have had several appointments in the month of Feb 2011.  (Welcome group, labs, EKG, psychological test, REE test, medical consultation, physical therapy consultation, psychological consultation, nutritional consultation). In March I have to do a sleep study. After my sleep study I will make a consultation appointment with the surgeon, then a pre-op with the surgeon, then schedule surgery.  

Hope that helps... Expect to jump through LOTS of hoops.  lol

Jen 

Hey Monica... Welcome to our group! No need to be shy here, lots of awesome people in this group.
The process varies from practice to practice. But there will be things to go through. If the person doing the psych eval says you are not a good candidate, that could postpone things. If any other evals or tests are not favorable, it could postpone things. But most everything is able to be overcome, it just may take a little longer for some. The biggy is the insurance approval, and you have that so be happy. Many go through all the other hoops, then insurance denies.. you are ahead of the game.

Best of luck to you!

Welcome to the family Monica.  Bust out of the shy shell and ask away.  We do not bite.  You will find lots of variety in responses.  Congrats on having insurance approval.  Just work through any other hoops presented to get to your surgery date.  The psych eval was pretty easy.  They just want to know that you have thought this through and are completely aware of where you are headed.  If you have any past issues that you have solved by eating the issue away, this is the time to address that.

I needed to have a stress test, lab work, 6 months of visits with the dietician to work on food issues and attend an informational seminar put on by the surgeon's office.  Each surgeon's office has similar requirements, insurance companies vary too.  Take this one step at a time.  I found out that I had a surgery date about 3 weeks ahead of surgery.  Keep us up to date on your progress.  Hugs

Hi Monica,

My name is Teresa and Welcome to our group ( family )!! We are all here for you - as we have either been there and done that or are going through it or either just getting started. I am about a month away from having the RNY..... I agree with the others that have said each person/insurance is different. Some might have to go through some things someone else might now.

Time line for the past 8-9 months:

Went to a bariatric seminar
Consult with surgeon
Endoscopy Done
Psych Eval
Dietician Class
3 hour Workshop
2nd Consult with Surgeon ( because of my other health issues - Hep C, enlarged spleen,enlarged liver, liver damage, esophagael varices, portal hypertension, low platelets) 

He said everything is a go and went over what he will do just prior to surgery.

Now I  go on Monday to a consult with the vascular surgeon for the filter
Will have that scheduled
Pre-op blood work and papers done
Surgery Date Scheduled :) 

I look foward to getting to know you!! Don't be shy - just jump right on in :)

Wow! Thank you everyone for your warm welcome.

You ladies have been through a lot already. I first had to get my insurance approval before my surgeon's office would even begin talking to me.  I didnt realize that I would have so much to do before getting a surgery date. I am thankful to learn what I will be facing so that I don't get my hopes up for an early surgery date.

Some of the things you all have had to do have really suprised me. I am so grateful to be able to talk with you ladies through this time.

Monica