Question:
Did anyone have trouble with thier surgery cordinator

I had my consult with my surgeon in october 2002.I had all the paperwork in order.(shrink eval,sleep apnea.etc..)here starts my nightmare.1st the surgery cordinator "lost my file"then she says shell fax it in right away we should hear in about 2 weeks.Never happened.It has been 3 months now..when ever I call her she says She put it in but.. when I keep calling my medical group they have never recieved it. She now tells me my medical group(I have a HMO ) has forwarded it to my insurance carrier(pacificare)When I called them they said they do not handle refferals that would be the medical group.(I already knew this)Has anyone else has such a terrible time with the surgery cordinator? What do I do now?I know shes brushing me off..is there like a waiting period or something???Its so hard to get her to even return my calls...HHEELLPPP..I feel ssooo desperate please    — REANA H. (posted on January 29, 2003)

January 29, 2003
I know its tough waiting and dealing with the surgeons office, but in my opinion you basically just answered your own question. If this Drs office is giving you this much of a hassle and is not doing everything possible to help you get approved, then I think it would be time to move on and at least check into getting another surgeon. The wait that you may have with the next surgeon may just in fact be sooner than the the time it would take the staff of your current surgeon to "process" your paperwork.
   — ImANewDee

January 29, 2003
The same thing happened to me. Initial consult in May....early in Sept. when I made my "weekly" call to see the status of letter of medical necessity, I was told that the doctor's program had been "put on hold". I regrouped....found a new suregeon and I am finally scheduled for surgery on 2/11/03. Good luck to you in your journey.
   — Lynda D.

January 29, 2003
Hi! No, you are not alone. I had trouble with the front office person at the first doctor I went to. She has this "thing" where you wants people to do it for themselves. Which is fine but I had no idea what they or my insurance company needed/wanted. Her standard answer to every one of my questions was"I dont know what to tell you." Gee, thanks lady for all the help. NOT!!! I finally got tired of the run around, asked tons of questions here on AMOS and found a new surgeon. It went smooth as silk. Having a PRO (thanks you Rose!) in the front office made all the difference in the world. You are the CUSTOMER, Dont put up with the disrespect and run around. Good luck to you. Open RNY 10-23-02 down 59 pounds and counting!
   — Siddy I.

January 29, 2003
Hi! No, you are not alone. I had trouble with the front office person at the first doctor I went to. She has this "thing" where you wants people to do it for themselves. Which is fine but I had no idea what they or my insurance company needed/wanted. Her standard answer to every one of my questions was"I dont know what to tell you." Gee, thanks lady for all the help. NOT!!! I finally got tired of the run around, asked tons of questions here on AMOS and found a new surgeon. It went smooth as silk. Having a PRO (thanks you Rose!) in the front office made all the difference in the world. You are the CUSTOMER, Dont put up with the disrespect and run around. Good luck to you. Open RNY 10-23-02 down 59 pounds and counting!
   — Siddy I.

January 30, 2003
Did you happen to keep copies of all the paperwork? If so, then forward it to your insurance company yourself. Also, ask for the coordinator's supervisor. Let them know what she's been doing. Write a letter and direct it to the supervisor. Maybe if you lit a fire under her butt, she'll get moving! I had some problems with the coordinator, and I had to keep on them. I told her I would call her every week and she knew it was me everytime I called. I was very nice, but very firm! If you can't get through to the supervisor, call the doctor! Go to the office and see the coordinator in person. Don't be discouraged by some dumb clerk who can't get her act together!
   — dolphins94