Question:
4 Weeks No Approval, Should I Call My Insurance Company?

It's been 4 weeks since I saw the surgeon and still no approval. Barriatric nurse says they have faxed twice to my insurance but have not heard from them yet. She said to keep waiting and *not* to call. Should I call the precertification department Aetna PPO and inquire or wait?    — Janine W. (posted on February 10, 2003)

February 10, 2003
Yes I would deffinatly clal your insurance company, I am going through the same thing, only its my surgeons office that isnt forwarding my psych eval to the insurance, so I have been calling the insurance co 2x a week to check on statis of approval and if they had received psych eval from my surgeon and as of today they still hadnt received it and it has been 3 weeks my insurance company has bbn waiting on my surgeon. so she was kind enough to give me the fax # so I could send my copy to them so they could proceed. You will need your contract # probably your social security # and what it is in regards too. Maybe your doctor faxed or sent it to the wrong place, and if Im not mistaken it may have to have been sent by regular mail and not faxed. Call tomorrow, so you know if they have indeed received it. sometimes if you want it done you just gotta do it yourself. Good luck
   — wizz46

February 10, 2003
I called my precert. department every week from day 1. I was approved 1 month later. It will not hurt to call.
   — Tonya M.

February 10, 2003
My first orientational (sp?) meeting my doctor was talking a lil bit about ins, and he had mentioned that they have gotten all ins (w/o exclusions) to approve but one lady got impatient and called and bugged the ins herself and he said it hur t her chances alot, and hes not sure she will be approved... If your surgeons office is handling it bug them to bug your ins. thats my suggestion...
   — Snowflake48342

February 10, 2003
I have Aetna {HMO} as my second insurance, it was approved in 1 day.And I did call that 1 day. My first insurance is BCBS of MN {EPO} same as HMO, and they also approved in 1 day. I also called them. I say call..........GOOD LUCK........Jane in Jax.,FL
   — Jane T.

February 11, 2003
You haven't called them yet??? My paperwork was just submitted yesterday and I am dragging myself away from the phone! You have been strong long enough! CALL THEM!
   — Nickie C.

February 10, 2006
I called my insurance company everyday. They got sick of hearing from me and finally gave me an answer. Good luck!!
   — debbyg

February 10, 2006
My surgeon's office said to call everyday...and when I called the insurance company I got the same lady in our local office...she even told me I could call every day...so I did. One week...and I was approved.
   — mmcphee1