Question:
Is there anything I can do to speed up the insurance process?

I am working with a group of surgeons (Suburban Surgical Care Specialists in Elk Grove, IL) who are part of the Weight for Life group. The Weight for Life group takes care of all the insurance paper work for preapproval. I sent in all of the required paper work to the head office in California, and I understand that there are other people in line ahead of me. However, I was just wondering if anyone knew of anything I can do with my insurance company to help speed up the process. As I wait, my weight is increasing because of anxiety and stress, and I would just like to help get the ball rolling. If it helps any...my insurance company is Bluecross Bluesheild of Illinois...PPO Advantage. Thanks for any and all the advice and support!    — Stacey J. (posted on January 21, 2002)

January 21, 2002
Get a name of someone in the insurance company that will agree to tracking your information. Have the paperwork faxed to that person's name so that they can get it to the proper department. This may speed up your process bigtime! (this info was given to me by an insurance person)
   — elifritz

January 21, 2002
STAY ON THEIR BUTTS! Call them every day if necessary, send any documents certified mail (so they can't say that they "never got it") Get the name of an operator when you call the first time and ask for the same person every time you call back. With their name attached to the whole situation, they may be more likely to help you out and get messages to the people that do the approving. Good luck and don't give up!
   — vbenedict0208

December 1, 2002
I definately agree stay on your insurers butt.. but don't bother with a Member Service Rep(customer service) they have no access to that info(I know I was one for 3 years) all they can do is leave messages, or look on a screen that will either say WIP(work in progress) or if approved or denied. Sometimes when it says WIP it will stay that way for a long time, so it is better to ask for the Medical managment or Authorization team, they are the one's who handle that fax all of your paper work directly to them, and always get a first and last name .
   — lisar02169