Question:
Has anyone had a problem with insurer not paying for pre-op testing?

My insurer has denied payments for any of my pre-op testing but on the same day approved my surgery! The testing was over $3000.00! They say that pre-cert. for the surgery should have been done before the testing but my surgeon won't do it that way. He does not procede with anything till all pre-op testing looks ok. Any suggestions?    — Oldsoul (posted on November 1, 2001)

November 1, 2001
This sounds much like my situation after surgery. I had a pre-cert letter in hand stating that they would pay for the surgery and related costs. Later as the requests for payments were submitted they denied it on the basis that they would only pay for "necessary surgical treatment of obesity" but not testing or dietary counseling. I contacted the insurance company (BC/BS of NE) and they are reviewing it for me. Sorry its not much help but yes, this has happened to others. Be persistant and keep in touch with the insurance company, they have paid one that they had orginally denied.
   — Janet R.

November 2, 2001
My BCBS of ND denied all of my preop testing. Then, after the surgery was approved, I just had to ask them to review it all -- reminding it was for the surgery they'd just approved. They approved them all and paid right away.
   — Cindy H.