Question:
My insurance only approved a 1 day hospital stay!

Is this normal? what happens if I have stay longer? Apparently my surgeon only requested 24 hours. Did anyone leave the hospitial wihtin 48 hours? I'm a little worried now.    — Debbie W. (posted on September 3, 2002)

September 3, 2002
My approval letter appeared to me to have only 1 day approved also. At the bottom of the letter was a blurb about if my stay extended 1 day, further notification to Aetna was NOT necessary. I was a little concerned about it, but figured Aetna surely knew my surgery would entail at least a 4 day hospital stay. I received my first bill from the hospital, and it appears it wasn't a problem. I even had a private room! I guess if you want peace of mind, call your ins company for clarification. Good Luck with your surgery!
   — Kay S.

September 3, 2002
Standard operating procedure for insurance companies is to approve a 23 hour hospital stay. But I am sure there would be no problems if you need to stay extra days. For you peace of mind call the insurance company, and the hospital, I am sure they will both reassure you that you will not be sent home, if you are unable to. Best of luck on you new exciting journey you about to start on. Lap RNY 5/6/02 -73 18 to goal
   — Jeri P.

September 3, 2002
I went in for surgery that morning and went home the next morning. Had no problems at all. I think I did much better because of it. I walked every 2 hours from the time I left recovery all thro the night and continued when I got home for several days. Then walked every 4 hours. No gas, less pain if your up and moving. Had open, transected,gb removel, removel of adhesions on June 5,02 and have lost 70# so far. The best thing I could have done in my life.
   — sandy W.

September 3, 2002
I stayed 4 days in the hospital...and let me tell you...I would have been happy to stay 1 day! Hospitals suck to be quite honest! I felt lousy until the minute I walked through my front door, and then I instantly felt 100% better. It is wierd how comforting our own home can be. If you have problems, I sure you will stay longer. If not...you should be just fine if you make sure you get up and walk, drink enough liquid and watch your incision for signs of infection and take your temp every so often. That is all they do to you in the hospital anyway. If you get sick...go back. Rejoice in this! Really, no one I know likes being in an uncomfortable hospital bed!
   — Shawnie S.

September 3, 2002
I was a little concerned about that too, so I called the insurance company. The Nurse Case Coordinator I talked to was wonderful, and laughed. She said "It's ok... you probably won't be able to use the bathroom after one day. We know that. Don't worry about it!" and went on to tell me what everyone has explained below. So don't fret... it'll all be fine! :)
   — Kelly B.

September 4, 2002
Well my insurance approved me for only 2 days, so i was kind of asking me that same question, what happens if i need some more time in the hospital? how i'm going to pay for this? , but a friend i been talking with on the computer told me that usually the doctors and nurses know what to say to the insurance company to prolong your stay. Now my surgeon is doing the DS lap and open , so at this point i might only need the 2 days after all the same thing that you was
   — diana C.

September 6, 2002
I was just as worried as you were when I received my letter that said it only approved one day. I called Bariatric just this week to see if it would be changed. I spoke with the insurance dept and they said that when I receive my surgery date, at my pre whatever, they will correct it. So don't worry...it will be taken care of.
   — Rhanda R.