Question:
Anyone had to switch insurance after receiving an approval?

If so, did the new company have to approve?    — duane B. (posted on July 13, 2003)

July 13, 2003
I haven't had to do that, but know that yes, you will have to start all over again for approval thru a new company. Most have different conditions, regulations and rules for approval. Good luck!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 13, 2003
Yes, this happened to me. I had my approval and then discovered that I needed to change insurance companies. I was a bit scared to call my surgeons office because you get on the waiting list to see him AFTER insurance approval. When I called the new company they told me I would have to redo EVERYTHING including going to a presentation and the psych eval. I was NOT happy. When I did finally call the surgeons office they said no problem and kept me on the waiting list. I faxed them my new card when I got it (acutally had to do it twice, first fax never made it). They resent my papers to the new company and I was approved in a day! Keep in touch with the person who handles insurance approvals with your surgeon and don't be afraid to make some phone calls. Good luck!
   — Kathy J.

July 13, 2003
I switched PCP's within an Insurance company after getting approval and had to start the process all over again. Good Luck.
   — Ron T.

July 13, 2003
I switched insurance plans. After fighting for five months, the HMO I was covered by approved me to see a surgeon that I was not comfortable with. So, a couple of months later, I changed insurance plans at my employer's open-enrollment to a PPO. I did have to start the process all over; the new insurance company has no obligation to honor the previous carrier's approval. This wasn't a problem for me, and the new company approved me very quickly (within two weeks of the initial request), and I couldn't be happier with the surgeon I finally got.
   — Vespa R.