Question:
will I be the one speaking to the insurance co. or my doctors office will handle that

I read a couple of profiles on the site and they stated that all went smooth and that they had no contact with the insurance co. it was all done by the surgeons staff but I can't remember who they were and who the doctors were and I would like to here from those who had this wonderful experience and also I was just wondering was Dr. Goodman office one of these offices because I really feel at this point he may be my choice I would love to hear of other doctors as well.    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 18, 2000)

August 18, 2000
My surgeon's office handled all correspondence with my 2 insurance carriers and I was approved within 3 weeks of his letters to them...Dr. J.Ken Champion, Atlanta, GA...web site: www.drchampion.com
   — Diana T.

August 18, 2000
I have BCBS Federal Point of Service which means I needed a referal. My PCP let me find my own surgeon. I went to DR Reines, Chief of Surgery at Newton Wellsley Hospital in Massachusetts. He runs an obesity clinic there. He and the second in command Dr Thayer. Have done 400+ bariatric surgeries. Their preference is open RNY. You go in for an initial three hour visit. You meet with their nutritionist and their psychologist and then with the surgeon. He told me i was candidate ans I'd have no problem with insurance. Within two weeks I was approved and booked. I've did nothing. Not to mention both doctors are kind and wonderful doctors. They have a pre-op class and a post-op support group that has at least 100 happy people attending monthly. This program is first class and that's how they treat their patients. I'm still 25 days pre-op. Can't wait to reach the other side.
   — Wendy W.

August 18, 2000
I think it is best that you let the surgeon's office handle the dealings with the insurance company. They should be the experts in putting together a submission for getting the surgery approved. They will know what tests you need, what questions to ask you, will get your history, etc. From that information, they should be able to state your case to the insurance company (as experts) vs. you (as a lay person) perhaps omitting something the insurance company might need and you didn't know about. I am one of those people who had no contact with the insurance company - the surgeon's office handled it all.
   — Gina E.