Question:
Is it a bad sign that I am still waiting for approval?

HI, I put in for insurance approval and I am still waiting. I can't stand the waiting! Is it a bad sign if the insurance company takes a long time to respond on approval? It has been about 4 weeks, I know that isn't really too long, but I am getting really anxious. Any suggestions on how to relax while I wait? Tracey    — Tracey L. (posted on March 19, 2002)

March 19, 2002
My surgeon recommends waiting 6-8 weeks before getting concerened. My request was submitted on January 14, and I heard about my approval on March 1. I am still waiting for a date....it's all about patience!! I figure, no news is good news. Seems to me, the insurance companies send out those denials really quickly from what I have heard. Hope this helps calm your nerves! Good Luck!
   — Linda D.

March 19, 2002
PLEASE don't wait for someone from the insurance company to call you!!! CALL THEM!!! Having worked in the insurance industry for 20 years I'm always amazed that people rely on listening to what the doctors office says. YOU are responsible for your health insurance. No one else. That includes getting things approved, getting claims paid and answering any questions the insurance company may have. Now I'll get off my soapbox!! :) Call the insurance company and make sure they've received all the documents they need to make a determination. Doctor's offices forget things ALL the time and while your sitting and waiting for the insurance company to approve you, the insurance company may be waiting for more information from you or the doctors office. Be proactive and get involved. You might be able to supply that last piece of information the insurance company needs. Or you might be able to hound the doctor's office to supply it.
   — Patty H.

March 19, 2002
I haven't started the approval process yet, but when I spoke to my doctor, he said that they would do what they could, but I would have to do what I could do too. He said we could "pound" at the insurance company together. I've already called my insurance company and asked them about the wording of my policy regarding WLS and I've composed a personal letter to my insurance company detailing my family medical history, my comorbidities, and my emotional trauma from being obese. I have obtained a letter of support from my ob/gyn, my PCP and my previous PCP. Call your insurance company. Ask them if they need more information or how much longer it may be before you'll have an approval (be positive, don't even let them know that you are considering the possibility of denial). I've always heard that it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil....be squeaky!!
   — Wendy C.

March 19, 2002
Hi, my surgeons office told me to call the insuramce company after 2 weeks. I'm glad that I did actually becuase they told me that they had never recieved a thing from the doctor. I know that they sent it but this seems to be a great ploy from the insurance companies. I got the name of the person I spoke to, and the fax number and told her that I was faxing a copy of the request in 10 minutes to her attention. I then called the doctor's office, asked them to fax me AND the insurance company another copy, and I also faxed a copy to this person. I called her back within the hour and she couldn't say she hadn't recieved it. She had and said so. I was approved within 4 days after that. I would say, call call call.
   — Barbara H.

March 19, 2002
I have to disagree with the poster who recommended patience. My surgeon talked to the insurance company while I was in his office. The paperwork was faxed to the ins. co. later that same day. I waited approx. 10 days and called. The ins. co. said no one had ever called and there was no record of receiving the paperwork. I called the surgeon and they faxed the paperwork again that day. A few days later the insurance company was still denying hearing from anyone or talking to anyone. I gave them dates, times and the names of people both the surgeon and I talked to. Funny thing, they suddenly had a record of the calls but no paperwork. We ended up calling the insurance coordinator at my husbands company. She called the ins. co. while we were still on the line. They tried to give her the run around, but she would have none of it. She called the surgeons office and we were all on the line together. The surgeons office confirmed everything I had said. The coordinator told the surgeons office to fax the paperwork immediately to the ins. co. She told the ins. co. to call me and notify me as soon as it was received and to call the surgeons office. While everyone was still on the line, she told me if I didn't hear from the ins. co. within 10 days, to call her back. Days later I had my approval - the surgeons office knew before I did. The ins. co. hopes we will go away and give up. Call them, write down names, dates and times and make them aware you are keeping a record of the calls. Do whatever is necessary to get your approval. Good luck and best wishes.
   — grammie5

March 20, 2002
Thank you so much for your responses. I am still hanging in there. I actually have been calling the insurance company, they tell me they have everything, so I will keep hanging in there. It is good to know other people have felt/are feeling the same way. Thanks for the support. Tracey
   — Tracey L.

March 21, 2002
Hi, One more update. I just found out yestrday afternoon that I have been aproved and scheduled! Thanks for your support! T
   — Tracey L.

March 22, 2002
Congratulations!!!! I hope this surgery is everything you dreamed it would be!!!
   — Patty H.