Question:
I have a surgery date of April 5. I don't have insurance approval date yet

Is it common to have the date before the insurance approve? Debbie Viren    — Debbie V. (posted on February 24, 2001)

February 24, 2001
I scheduled my surgery for March 23rd before I had insurance approval because I wanted it scheduled as soon as possible and I knew if I waited for insurance approval that could be months down the road and then another two months after the approval for my surgeon to be able to get me in. I didn't want to wait that long. If my insurance decides not to approve this procedure, I will appeal, but at least I will have my surgery in the meantime, even if it means I have to self-pay. If you are not prepared to self-pay I wouldn't schedule the surgery before approval.
   — Tracy P.

February 24, 2001
I had a date long before approval.
   — Lisa B.

February 24, 2001
I didn't get insurance approval until 2 weeks before my surgery...it was very frustrating, I was so nervous and my surgeon's office treated it as if it was no big deal!
   — DolcezzaVT

February 24, 2001
I scheduled my surgery date before getting approval. I found out less than 24 hours before the operation that I had a "go" from the insurer. The entire episode was hair raising to say the least.
   — [Anonymous]