Question:
I AM SWITCHING SURGEONS AND NEED Help

I AM SWITCHING SURGEONS AS THE INITIAL SURGEON AND HOSPITAL ARE NOW OUT OF OUR PPO NETWORK. I'VE ALREADY RECEIVED "APPROVAL FOR MEDICAL NECESSITY" WITH THE FIRST SURGEON. I CALLED OUR INSURANCE AND THEY INSIST THAT I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE "APPROVAL" PROCESS AGAIN. THE "NEW" SURGEON'S STAFF TELLS ME THAT OUR INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE IS INCORRECT. THEY SAY THAT THEIR INSURANCE SPECIALIST WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH MY INSURANCE, BUT THEY HAVE HAD "HUNDREDS" OF PEOPLE SWITCH SURGEONS AFTER "APPROVALS" AND THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY PROBLEMS. I'M NOT SURE WHO TO BELIEVE AT THIS POINT, BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN IN THE SAME SITUATION AS ME. PLEASE HELP. SINCERELY, BILL IN OHIO    — WILLIAM G. (posted on September 17, 2000)

September 17, 2000
Bill, I got approved for the vertical banded gastroplasty with a particular surgeon, but I later decided to change to the Roux-en-Y and a different surgeon. I had no problem whatsoever making the change and I didn't have to start over again. My new surgeon's office simply contacted the insurance company and it was changed immediately. Good luck.
   — [Anonymous]