Question:
Frustration and worry over time everything takes!
I had an appt. with Dr. Custer on 4/12 (had to wait 6 weeks to get THAT). He said he would do surgery and would send letter to insurance on the following Monday. I finally got through to his scheduler and she tells me that it will be 4-6 weeks before the stuff is even sent into the insurance company. Then, of course, it takes several months for the actual date. I have CIGNA POS and Bariatric Treatment Centers is not on my plan. Any suggestions for any other doctors who could actually do the surgery while I'm still breathing?????? Thanks! — Nell C. (posted on April 24, 2002)
April 24, 2002
I would question why it takes them 4-6 wks to get the info to the insurance
company. That is ridiculous! I would check into a new doctor. (that's just
me) Good Luck!
— ZZ S.
April 24, 2002
You didn't say where you are from. I have Cigna in Indiana. Dr. Gomez has
been very expediant and thorough. Good Luck.
— Beffy W.
April 24, 2002
You do not say where you are from but, the doctor you listed I believe is
in Iowa. Please email me and I will give you a great referral.
[email protected]
Robin
— Robin B.
April 24, 2002
BTC was not in my plan and I have CIGNA POS. They paid everything, but
$750. Contact Dr. Berkowitz at BTC (Belvidere, IL). He did mine and was
wonderful!
— dolphins94
April 24, 2002
I would definately suggest another surgeon. There are a lot more things
involved with me other than meeting the surgeon, him saying ok, and going
to insurance. He probably doesn't have a very good aftercare program
either. There is NO WAY that insurance approval should take that long
unless there is a problem. I would seek out another surgeon definatley,
although not being from that area, I have no suggestions. GOod luck!!
— emilyfink
April 24, 2002
Hi there..
I know what you are going through. I had to wait 2 years to have a consult
because there aren't enough surgeons here in Hawaii. Once I was approved to
go for a consult, it took 3 months to get in to see him (that was on March
25th). His office took about two weeks to get the paperwork into my
insurance company. My insurance company was FANSTASTIC! They approved me
for surgery with 24 hours... BUT all the excitement started to fade because
I was told that I won't be able to have the surgery until Oct/November
because of the surgeon's back logged waiting list. They are just NOW
getting around to the patients that had consults in NOVEMBER 2001!!
Needless to say, the wait can be maddening! I highly recommend that you
take the time you have to learn more about the procedure, take care of
yourself and before you know it, your surgery date will be here. I have
considered switching doctors too....but keep in mind that if you do, you
have to start the entire process all over again! I am fortunate because my
insurance company will allow me to remain on two separate surgeon's active
patient lists... so who ever can get to me first will do the surgery. Most
insurance companys don't allow this though. You have to committ to one or
the other. Good luck!!!!!!!!
— KathieInHawaii
April 24, 2002
Nell, It should NEVER take 4 to 6 weeks to send out information to the
insurance company. Once Dr. Custer dictates his letter (about 2 days) then
they send the letter and documentation to the insurance company.
Contact the Practice Administrator, David Haeffler and tell him of your
concern of why it's taking Pam 4 to 6 weeks to submit the information to
the insurance company. It should only take about a week at most and that's
what Dr. Custer's literature states. You can e-mail David at
[email protected]
Once the insurance has approved the procedure, the doctor's office will
give you a surgery date about a week later. The surgery will be about 4 to
6 weeks away at most. I've not heard of anyone who's had to wait months to
get scheduled once they've been approved by the insurance.
Keep me posted on what's going on.
— Patty H.
April 24, 2002
I am going through the same thing. They had all of my info on April
3....diet history, family history, ins info ect and they tekk me that it
will take several weeks to write a letter because of the back log of files.
The latest guess as to when my insurance will get the info is 2nd or 3rd
week of May. I cannot believe it take SOOO ling. The unfortunate thing is
that we are at their mercy and they know it. If you are in St. Louis I doo
know the name and # of several other surgeons, but it I have called them
and my wait is average or a bit less. I called one surgeons office and
they told me that they are schuduling consultation appts in Sept and
Oct....Im staying put and digging in my heals.. Good Luck
— cherokey55
April 25, 2002
Sorry everyone. I forgot to say I'm in Columbus, Ohio. I did speak with
Dr. Custer's nurse, Cathy, and she is one fantastic person! She looked up
my file, found the insurance letter and deduced it had been sent --- now
the other lady couldn't do that for me --- shame on her! Unfortunately,
now that I post this, Cathy may get bombarded with others that can't get
the other gal to get on the ball. Maybe it will make Mid-Ohio do something
a bit different with their procedures???... Anyway, where I work, we have
a 1 day policy on phone calls, you HAVE to return the call or have someone
return it for you saying you'll get back to the person, even if you don't
have an answer yet. How nice is that? To know you are important and
someone is actually doing something and you're not left hanging. I will
return my calls with an even better attitude than before!!!
— Nell C.
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