Question:
I know that I'm approved, but I am waiting now on the written Approval Letter.

I called my insurance company on 03/14/03, and was told over the phone that I was approved. Then called Bariatrics insurance unit and told them this, they said that I needed to wait for the letter. Then I could fax it over to them. My question is if I know that I was approved on 03/13/03, how long will it be until I recieve this APPROVAL LETTER, and then what? Do I have to wait another 6 months for surgery. Please help, I have a green light and still being told I can't go!!!!!VERY, VERY FRUSTATED.....    — Tamauralee H. (posted on March 16, 2003)

March 16, 2003
I received my letter within a week of being approved and they sent a copy of it to the surgeon. Unfortunately you got approved just before a weekend. I would expect it shortly. Breath in, breath out. I was a mess while waiting for everything to happen and then before I knew it I was post-op and it will happen for you too! Good Luck!!! :)
   — Carol S.

March 16, 2003
Hi, I just got approved and a date for Dr. Boe in the Belvidere office so I can give you a sense of how long it took me. I was approved by my insurance company on 2/25/03. I called the BTC and they stated they had to have the approval letter or a copy. I called my insurance company to see if they would fax me a copy of the approval but they wouldn't. They said I had to wait for the letter in the mail. I got the approval letter in the mail on 3/1/03 (Saturday). I faxed a copy of the letter to the BTC on Monday 3/4. Once they have your letter, your file is sent back to your doctor for sign-off. Make sure all your test results that you needed or had done (outside the BTC) have been sent in for your chart. Once the Dr. signs off on your chart it is sent to scheduling. A scheduler called me on 3/11 to set up a date. They were booking in mid-April. Since I am taking classes I requested a date in May. From what I've heard, once they call you for a date you are probably looking at about 6 weeks out. I hope this helps. Janine
   — jmusser

March 16, 2003
Ask them (the insurance company) if they can fax a copy of the approval letter to the Dr's office. It's worth a try. Good luck and Congrats! =-)
   — Robin J.

March 17, 2003
This is very common so please don't think they are against you. I see that some doctors give patients surgery dates even before approval. This seems a bit odd to me, but if that doctor and patient are willing to withstand the risk of non-payment so be it. Anyway, I waited about 7 days to get my actual letter. I lucked out that the surgeon's office told me to fax my copy because there are so many departments within Northwestern that it could be extra days until they received their copy. I faxed mine and wouldn't ya know it...it was a few days later before they had their copy in hand. By that time, I already had a date. It's easy for someone to 'say' something, but getting it in writing is REALLY best for you also. Good luck!
   — Diane S.