Question:
how hard is it to change surgeons and hospitals after already being approved .

i have already been approved and i want to change dr's and hospitals, due to continuous bad reviews about the hospital that my current surgeon uses.    — stefanieulmer (posted on April 29, 2003)

April 28, 2003
I changed DR and it added 4-6 month delay
   — Robert L.

April 28, 2003
I was 2 days from surgery, then decided to change surgeons (and hospitals since the new doc didn't do them at the old hospital). The delay will be as long as it takes for the new surgeon to submit the paperwork and get you scheduled. They can't use the approval the insurance company gave the first doc, they have to resubmit. But at least this time you shouldn't have to worry about denial! It mainly depends on how back logged the new surgeon is for dates.
   — Carolyn I.

April 28, 2003
I didnt change; but had thought about it; called my insurance company. They told me that the 'proceedure' is what was approved - NOT the doctors/hospital. As long as the 'new surgeon' submitted the 'same code' there would be not problem.
   — star .

April 28, 2003
A good "paper pusher" should not take that long to change the doctor or the hospital. It is the procedure that is approved, but the doctor also needs to be contracted in order to expedite it. Talk to the person in charge of dealing with the insurance companies. This is what they do everyday. It should never take more then a phone call!
   — Sue A.

April 29, 2003
I switched Doctor and Hospital after being approved, as long they are in network it should not be a problem.
   — Monica J.