Question:
Will the AMOS Superheros put on their capes and help a member out???

Hello my AMOS sisters and brothers. You won't believe this and maybe you would! I had my consult with Dr. Gagner in NYC for DS. My insurance personal choice BC/BS of PA covers the DS and dr G., that's good news right, I thought so too. Today i get to work and around 4 pm one of my co workers mention that our employer was changing us to some dinky hmo keystone point of service. Of course Dr. G does not accept this and i am sure they dont allow DS. Well I need help from you knowledgeable superheros to give me some ideas of what i should do. I have been overweight since 5, now weigh 350 and feel like I am slowly dying from this weight. I have done most of my pre insurance testing. i just have to do endoscopy and sleep study. i have 2 months and a week to figure this one out. Now eveyone into the phone booth to change into their cape and dont forget that S on your chest. Every one here has truly been a blessing to me. its the only reason i have made it this far to finally beating this weight thing. thanks with all my heart. BB    — [Anonymous] (posted on October 19, 2001)

October 19, 2001
I don't know if this will help, but since this is a pre-exisiting condition that you were going to be treated for your old/current insurance may have some form of a COBRA plan for you to pay for until after surgery. Or... can you move surgery up?
   — Linda B.

October 19, 2001
I also wanted to go to Dr. Gagner, who doesn't take my insurance. I wound up going to his associate, Dr Herron and had the Lap RNY in August, 2000. I couldn't be happier. I am down to 138 lb, size 6 and feel wonderful. Dr. Gagner's associates are often a logical option when he isn't available... I understand how you feel though and wish you lots of luck!
   — Jeannet

October 19, 2001
I agree with Linda. I checked our company and they will cover pre-existing conditions. Check all your information and research everything at the new company. Call the ins. co. more than once. Don't trust that the first person you talk to will give you the correct information. Good luck with your surgery!!!!!! Carol
   — grammie5

October 19, 2001
try the web site www.insure.com to ask tour questions or to find similar answers, hope this helps you
   — [Anonymous]

October 19, 2001
Contact the surgeons office. Tell the person who scheduals the surgery your problem. Then move your butt. She can move your surgery date up. Once she gives you a date in that 6 weeks, call the gastro doc and sleep study group and move your appts. I know people who had this stuff done the week of surgery. The docs just faxed over the results. Believe me persistence pays off. It surely can be done if you are driven. Good luck--
   — rose B.

October 20, 2001
Keystone Hmo is part of PA BC/BS and based out of the Highmark BC/BS in Pittsburgh/Harrisburgh PA, the only major change is the doctors that may/may not be available to you. As the others suggested, get approval from your current insurance and move like the wind to get a surgery date---surgeons can be very cooperative when they find that there may be insurance problems down the road. Mine really moved things along when I mentioned that my hubby was changing jobs and that we weren't going with the new insuance but paying out of pocket through COBRA! He set a date on Thursday evening, got all the pre-op stuff scheduled on Monday, and I had my surgery on Wednesday after the insurance approval came through!
   — [Anonymous]

October 20, 2001
I agree with the last 2 posters. You may also want to mention the fact that you may have to go with another surgeon if you can't get a date before your insurance changes. They don't want to loose that money either.
   — K T.

October 21, 2001
Thanks so much to every one!! All of your replies sound very good and I am feeling much better after reading them! Starting first thing monday I will " move like the wind" as one poster said and like the other said " move my butt" and try to get things moving at dr.G's office. But i don't think dr. g is in hurting for my insurance money, he's in high demand so that one thing makes me thing why would his office go overboard to move me up, except that they are truly interested in approving my health. Thanks again to all and please keep me in your prayers. BB
   — BB B.