Question:
My first consult is dec 7th with the Surgeons office and I have most

of my specialist appts between the 4th and 10th. Am I jumping the gun?    — zapuback (posted on December 1, 2002)

December 1, 2002
Personally, once I made my decision this process can't go fast enough for me. The only issue will be if any of the doctor's use a diagnosis code of MO. I am assuming you do not have approval yet. If so, then you could be faced with paying out of pocket for some or all of the consults. If you have approval then go for it!<p>I just had an intial consult last Wed and tomorrow I will be faxing letters off to some of my specialists asking for them to fax mri reports and office notes and letters to the surgeon so he can use them in building my case. Already hit the internist's office last Wed afternoon asking for a letter and notes from him. I also will drop off the psych eval form at the psychiatrist's office so he can get that done. He's figuring he can do it without seeing me since I am an ongoing patient of almost 2 years. I will keep track of things as they come in to the surgeons office so I keep pressure on them to submit for approval and then I will keep pressure on the insurance company. I also intend to ask my sleep specialist to go ahead and schedule the new sleep study the surgeon wants. If we can figure a way to get it paid with my current insurance (they won't cover the surgery) then I will get it done in Dec. Otherwise it will be right after the 1st of the year when my new insurance (that will cover the surgery) kicks in. I'm bound and determined to have surgery no later than the end of Feb and will be pushing for the end of January/early Feb. Keep your fingers crossed for me and I will for you that all goes quickly!
   — zoedogcbr

December 2, 2002
You should find out if the surgeon requires any specialist visit no more than a fixed period before the surgery. For example, my surgeon requires blood work and radiology no later than 30 days before the surgery. You don't want to go twice!
   — Beth S.