Question:
What do I say to egg them on to an approval?

I have been instructed by my doctor's office to call the insurance company and document all the conversations and who I talk to...but what is it, specifically, that I'm asking them? HELP! How do I become the "squeaky wheel that gets the grease"?    — Johanna H. (posted on June 1, 1999)

June 1, 1999
Your doctor's office should sent them all the documentation needed to get approval. There is nothing you can say or do to get them to approve. If you get denyed there is a good lawyer that can help www.obesitylawyer.com
   — JAN C.

June 1, 1999
Call them on Fridays . Tell them that you have trouble getting around . That you are going to die if something is not done and that you do not want to die. You will do what ever they want you to do if they will tell you what they want . That have got to know that you will not go away . For this is what they want you to do. Do not give up if you are over weight to the point that you need this surgery they will say yes in time. My Doctor was Dr. Alston and he was just wonderful. If you need to know more I am at [email protected]
   — [Anonymous]

June 2, 1999
There are LOTS of things you can do. Call the media. Call your human resources rep (if your insurance company is through your job), let your boss know, let your friends know, post it on the internet on a free webspace (Geocities has great spots), hire a laywer (obesitylaw.com is great), look through the web and find documentation showing the risks of the surgery vs the risks of remaining the same, call the appeal and grievance officer of the insurance company EVERY DAY, call the insurance commissioner for your state, have people write to the insurance company on your behalf. You CAN fight this, and you CAN get them to approve the surgery. You just have to learn to yell louder than they do, and in the right circles. <G> I did, and they FINALLY approved me after 9 months of yelling, appeals, postings on the internet, and letters from people I didn't even know who decided my story was important enough to support. Good luck, and if you need help, please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected]. Good luck!
   — Molly S.