Saturday, March 31, 2007
Oops, They Did it Again (a rant)!
After trying for the past two days to get the surgery scheduler to call me back regarding the letter I received in the mail from the insurance, it finally happened. I received a call from her at 4:50pm on Friday. She leaves me a message stating, "I'm calling you back. The letter you received is not adequate for the surgeon to complete the surgery. I am leaving in 10 minutes so call me back as soon as possible." AGH!!! I'm infuriated. Did she wait all day just to call me back? Luckily I heard the voicemail and was able to respond in a "timely" manner. She asked for me to fax the letter to her that I had received. I told her I had been waiting all day for her to call me and I no longer had access to a fax machine. However, I *could* email her the scanned letter. When she received the email, she says it's still "no good." To top it all off, I held on the phone for her and was inadvertently disconnected. When I tried to call back in, the phones had been transferred and I was unable to reach her. She eventually called me back and the call went straight to voice mail. The message she left this time is summarized as, "Well, I guess I'll call you in the morning as I can't reach you anymore this afternoon. This letter won't work so I guess we'll just have to call the insurance company on Monday." Sadly, this next week is a short week for many as Friday is Good Friday and many people will be off from work. I'm not sure the doctor's office will be open, either, which really only gives me 2 1/2 -3 days to complete the pre-op appointment with the doctor and get my labs taken care of. I don't like that I'm not in control of this situation! I wish dealing with the insurance and doctor's office wasn't quite so stressful! Now, it's time for a "Rainwater family primal yell" to release all of this frustration......AAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH! Until next time...Boss Lady
Friday, March 30, 2007
To Infinity and BEYOND...(the back story)
Where do I start? I have been overweight most of my adult life. I am a member of the "Clean Plate Club" and have been since my early years. Fortunately for me when I was younger I had knobby knees, a slim figure and ran the streets of my South Dallas neighborhood...out all day and only returning home for dinner. Boy, those were the days! Well, what I didn't realize when I was younger was that the more I became a "Clean Plate Commando," the more I would struggle with food later on.
Now, let's fast-forward several years to the pre-teen era. I was always a large-boned child. My dad was 6 feet and 4 inches and I inherited my height from his side of the family. Most of the time I was the tallest person in my class. I wouldn't say I am taller than others now, but at the time my height bothered me. At a mere 5 feet and 7 inches I never really equated my weight with my height. I can remember one day when I was in the 5th grade of being weighed and finding out that I was 105 lbs. This was very shocking to me! My friends were always 75-85 pounds and considerable shorter than I.
As I entered junior high and gained the curves that go with the maturation process I still managed to hold my own but never felt fully comfortable in my skin. I wasn't the athlete that other girls were. I didn't really care for PE...much less about running around a track! My talents were in my musical ability. I played the Clarinet (not very well, but I played it). I was and still do have a good musical ear and can pick up a musical tune and then play it on the piano. Nevertheless, as I neared 8th grade I put on a few pounds.
As high school started I joined the marching band. If you know anything about Dallas and marching bands, you'll know where I went to school. We had/have one of the most decorated marching bands in the State. Our marching practice began on the first day of August. We marched every weekday for 4 hours in the hot Texas heat to retain and earn more titles. That was the summer that I was the slimmest I would ever be. Not only did I march for 20 hrs a week, but I would then meet up with some friends on my bike and we'd ride all over town, once again, not returning until daybreak.
After high school I entered college and gained the "Freshman 15" and then some! It was at this time I discovered I had an eating problem. I worked hard in school and graduated in 3 1/2 yrs. During my 2nd year in college I began my first true diet (not including diet pills/herbal supplements I had previously taken). I began drinking Medifast. I started the diet right before Thanksgiving. That was a very hard time to start but I was committed! By March I was down over 60 pounds to what will probably be my doctor's goal weight of 150 pounds. As I cut back on taking Medifast the weight came back. I had treated the symptoms, not the problems.
I fell in love while on that diet. After a little more than a year I graduated and married the man I loved, my college sweetheart. We struggled, as many do, during those first few years of marriage. We were very young and ignorant of everything around us. At least we had our love!
We soon decided that it was time to start a family. Because I was heavier than I had been in my life, due to what I now recognize as stress and boredom eating, we had a hard time getting pregnant. I tried for more than a year to have a baby, with no luck. Finally, I decided I needed to visit my ObGyn and ask for medicines to help kick start my fruit basket. I was devastated when he told me "No!" He told me I needed to get up off the couch and exercise. He talked to me about riding a bike and how that was the way he relieved stress. He told me if I would exercise for a few months and lose some weight, he'd give me Clomid to help things out. I got a bike right after that appointment and began to ride my bike. I started riding around the block one time, adding a block everyday until I was up to about 7-10 miles a day. About a month or two later I found I was having a difficult time making it around the block. I soon found out why!
Our first child was born later that year. She was premature and had some difficulty eating and gaining weight. However, I had no trouble with that. I was gaining weight with her. Around her one year birthday I went back in to talk to the one doctor who had always been honest with me. I asked for help with weight loss. He talked to me about Fen-Fen and how it was doing wonders helping his patients lose weight. He was right, it was great! I began exercising again. I joined the Y and did water aerobics everyday. I joined a class of senior women who were in better shape than I was! They challenged me and were the greatest bunch of women! We always had a good time.
Days passed and routines and job responsibilities changed. My dad died right before our daughter turned 2 after battling lung cancer for the past 12 months. My husband was working more hours trying to make it in to management in the store where he worked, therefore, home life was more stressful. We bought a house and I was promoted at my job and took on the extra stress that went with it. Before I knew it I was eating and gaining again. Also, Fen-Fen had been banned because of adverse health effects and I was sad. It had helped me tremendously!
More years passed and my weight continued to rise. Once again I decided I needed to lose weight and decided to do it on my own. Sure enough, I was doing well. I was exercising and eating smaller portions. I was attending a weight loss program called the Weigh Down Workshop. It was great to have all of the support during that time.
Soon we were surprised to learn that we were going to have another child. He was a complete surprise (and continues to be to this day)! Because our first child was premature I was placed on bedrest at 30 weeks and stayed there until he was born...on his due date.
Near the end of my pregnancy we found out that we were probably going to be transferred to San Antonio for my husband's job. This would mean a promotion for him and an opportunity for him to eventually manage his own store. We had to take this job. He gave them the ok for the move the day after our son was born. We moved to San Antonio less than two months later.
This has been a move we have never regretted. Don't get me wrong, it has been tough, especially at first. However, we love it here and have made many friends here. We are truly blessed!
Sure enough, I was out of the loop and had stopped exercising again and all of the weight came back. I just didn't seem to have the willpower and determination I used to have. I was in a new place with a new baby and a new job and enrolling my older child in a new school while my husband started his new job.
Now let's fast forward to this past summer and get down to the nitty gritty on why I decided to have WLS. Before our most recent trip to Mexico I sprained my ankle. I received physical therapy and was recuperating nicely. At the urging of my PT, I wore my brace on the airplane. As I stepped from the Jetway to the plane (it was uneven), I jarred my hip while trying to protect my ankle. I didn't realize at the time how seriously I was injured. However, by the end of the week long vacation I was making a doctor appointment. I was concerned that I had possibly dislocated my hip.
Upon our return I saw our doctor, He explained that I could have arthritis in my hip and that my weight wasn't helping (really?). After a series of tests, it was determined that I had injured my hip flexor. Guess what that meant, more PT! It's a good thing that I liked them!
After a few weeks of PT a I had a follow up visit with the doctor who once again mentioned my weight as a contributing issue. In all my frustration I asked, "Just what does it take to get a referral for the gastric bypass or lap band around here?" He laughed and said, "All you have to do is ask." He gave me a referral for New Dimensions/WeightWise that day. It took me a week or two to get up the nerve to make that first phone call. I have never looked back. In the wise words of Buzz Lightyear, "To infinity and BEYOND!!!!"
Now, let's fast-forward several years to the pre-teen era. I was always a large-boned child. My dad was 6 feet and 4 inches and I inherited my height from his side of the family. Most of the time I was the tallest person in my class. I wouldn't say I am taller than others now, but at the time my height bothered me. At a mere 5 feet and 7 inches I never really equated my weight with my height. I can remember one day when I was in the 5th grade of being weighed and finding out that I was 105 lbs. This was very shocking to me! My friends were always 75-85 pounds and considerable shorter than I.
As I entered junior high and gained the curves that go with the maturation process I still managed to hold my own but never felt fully comfortable in my skin. I wasn't the athlete that other girls were. I didn't really care for PE...much less about running around a track! My talents were in my musical ability. I played the Clarinet (not very well, but I played it). I was and still do have a good musical ear and can pick up a musical tune and then play it on the piano. Nevertheless, as I neared 8th grade I put on a few pounds.
As high school started I joined the marching band. If you know anything about Dallas and marching bands, you'll know where I went to school. We had/have one of the most decorated marching bands in the State. Our marching practice began on the first day of August. We marched every weekday for 4 hours in the hot Texas heat to retain and earn more titles. That was the summer that I was the slimmest I would ever be. Not only did I march for 20 hrs a week, but I would then meet up with some friends on my bike and we'd ride all over town, once again, not returning until daybreak.
After high school I entered college and gained the "Freshman 15" and then some! It was at this time I discovered I had an eating problem. I worked hard in school and graduated in 3 1/2 yrs. During my 2nd year in college I began my first true diet (not including diet pills/herbal supplements I had previously taken). I began drinking Medifast. I started the diet right before Thanksgiving. That was a very hard time to start but I was committed! By March I was down over 60 pounds to what will probably be my doctor's goal weight of 150 pounds. As I cut back on taking Medifast the weight came back. I had treated the symptoms, not the problems.
I fell in love while on that diet. After a little more than a year I graduated and married the man I loved, my college sweetheart. We struggled, as many do, during those first few years of marriage. We were very young and ignorant of everything around us. At least we had our love!
We soon decided that it was time to start a family. Because I was heavier than I had been in my life, due to what I now recognize as stress and boredom eating, we had a hard time getting pregnant. I tried for more than a year to have a baby, with no luck. Finally, I decided I needed to visit my ObGyn and ask for medicines to help kick start my fruit basket. I was devastated when he told me "No!" He told me I needed to get up off the couch and exercise. He talked to me about riding a bike and how that was the way he relieved stress. He told me if I would exercise for a few months and lose some weight, he'd give me Clomid to help things out. I got a bike right after that appointment and began to ride my bike. I started riding around the block one time, adding a block everyday until I was up to about 7-10 miles a day. About a month or two later I found I was having a difficult time making it around the block. I soon found out why!
Our first child was born later that year. She was premature and had some difficulty eating and gaining weight. However, I had no trouble with that. I was gaining weight with her. Around her one year birthday I went back in to talk to the one doctor who had always been honest with me. I asked for help with weight loss. He talked to me about Fen-Fen and how it was doing wonders helping his patients lose weight. He was right, it was great! I began exercising again. I joined the Y and did water aerobics everyday. I joined a class of senior women who were in better shape than I was! They challenged me and were the greatest bunch of women! We always had a good time.
Days passed and routines and job responsibilities changed. My dad died right before our daughter turned 2 after battling lung cancer for the past 12 months. My husband was working more hours trying to make it in to management in the store where he worked, therefore, home life was more stressful. We bought a house and I was promoted at my job and took on the extra stress that went with it. Before I knew it I was eating and gaining again. Also, Fen-Fen had been banned because of adverse health effects and I was sad. It had helped me tremendously!
More years passed and my weight continued to rise. Once again I decided I needed to lose weight and decided to do it on my own. Sure enough, I was doing well. I was exercising and eating smaller portions. I was attending a weight loss program called the Weigh Down Workshop. It was great to have all of the support during that time.
Soon we were surprised to learn that we were going to have another child. He was a complete surprise (and continues to be to this day)! Because our first child was premature I was placed on bedrest at 30 weeks and stayed there until he was born...on his due date.
Near the end of my pregnancy we found out that we were probably going to be transferred to San Antonio for my husband's job. This would mean a promotion for him and an opportunity for him to eventually manage his own store. We had to take this job. He gave them the ok for the move the day after our son was born. We moved to San Antonio less than two months later.
This has been a move we have never regretted. Don't get me wrong, it has been tough, especially at first. However, we love it here and have made many friends here. We are truly blessed!
Sure enough, I was out of the loop and had stopped exercising again and all of the weight came back. I just didn't seem to have the willpower and determination I used to have. I was in a new place with a new baby and a new job and enrolling my older child in a new school while my husband started his new job.
Now let's fast forward to this past summer and get down to the nitty gritty on why I decided to have WLS. Before our most recent trip to Mexico I sprained my ankle. I received physical therapy and was recuperating nicely. At the urging of my PT, I wore my brace on the airplane. As I stepped from the Jetway to the plane (it was uneven), I jarred my hip while trying to protect my ankle. I didn't realize at the time how seriously I was injured. However, by the end of the week long vacation I was making a doctor appointment. I was concerned that I had possibly dislocated my hip.
Upon our return I saw our doctor, He explained that I could have arthritis in my hip and that my weight wasn't helping (really?). After a series of tests, it was determined that I had injured my hip flexor. Guess what that meant, more PT! It's a good thing that I liked them!
After a few weeks of PT a I had a follow up visit with the doctor who once again mentioned my weight as a contributing issue. In all my frustration I asked, "Just what does it take to get a referral for the gastric bypass or lap band around here?" He laughed and said, "All you have to do is ask." He gave me a referral for New Dimensions/WeightWise that day. It took me a week or two to get up the nerve to make that first phone call. I have never looked back. In the wise words of Buzz Lightyear, "To infinity and BEYOND!!!!"
I got it, I got it....
Well, guess what arrive by pony express today? Yep, it was the letter we've all been waiting for! I called both the surgery scheduler and my patient advocate, neither of whom could I reach, to tell them I had it in hand. Guess it will have to wait until tomorrow (later this morning).
In my next post I want to back up a bit and give you the details that led to my decision to have weightloss surgery. Hopefully this will explain why I feel I need to do this for myself...why I need this tool.
In my next post I want to back up a bit and give you the details that led to my decision to have weightloss surgery. Hopefully this will explain why I feel I need to do this for myself...why I need this tool.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
A Battle of Wills
It's a dreary day here on the ranch. I was drawn into battle yesterday with the insurance company. It has been more than a week since I and the insurance staff at my doctor's office were given the preauthorization and verbal precertification for the surgery. Unfortunately, they still don't have a letter for me to submit to my doctor so that my pre-op appointment and lab work can occur. This might end up being a long fight in which I really have no control. I'm starting to get worried that they (doctor's office) will cancel my surgery or postpone it.
Let me share the positions of the two teams that I am in between:
Surgery Scheduler for my Dr.'s office: "I'm sorry that we can't schedule you for any other appointments until we receive the letter in our hands that has the doctor's name, surgical code, authorization for surgery and precertification for surgery and the number of days you are authorized for the hospital stay. I know someone from our office spoke to the insurance company and we have verbal approval , but our doctors will NOT let us proceed without the letter in our hands. Can you please call the insurance company and see if you can get it? Please ask them to fax it to me."
Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO of Alabama: "Here in the Health Management Division we precertify you for your hospitalization and surgery. Our computers generate our letters to our customers and their providers. We have no control over when those letters leave our building. It is all up to the computer and the mail clerks. No, we cannot make a copy of the letter that you are waiting for in the mail and fax it to you. There are literally thousands of letters we produce each day..."
Now, here's my position: "I'm tired of jumping through these hoops for both of y'all! To the doctor's office: You know I've been approved and have it documented in my chart from multiple people in the office. And you, insurance company, Do you mean to tell me that you couldn't put your finger on a piece of correspondence between your company, a provider and your customer? Now, let's take a step back and look to see who we're working for...is it the patient? I'm not sure..."
Hopefully this will all be over with very soon! I know it's just a pothole in the road.
Let me share the positions of the two teams that I am in between:
Surgery Scheduler for my Dr.'s office: "I'm sorry that we can't schedule you for any other appointments until we receive the letter in our hands that has the doctor's name, surgical code, authorization for surgery and precertification for surgery and the number of days you are authorized for the hospital stay. I know someone from our office spoke to the insurance company and we have verbal approval , but our doctors will NOT let us proceed without the letter in our hands. Can you please call the insurance company and see if you can get it? Please ask them to fax it to me."
Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO of Alabama: "Here in the Health Management Division we precertify you for your hospitalization and surgery. Our computers generate our letters to our customers and their providers. We have no control over when those letters leave our building. It is all up to the computer and the mail clerks. No, we cannot make a copy of the letter that you are waiting for in the mail and fax it to you. There are literally thousands of letters we produce each day..."
Now, here's my position: "I'm tired of jumping through these hoops for both of y'all! To the doctor's office: You know I've been approved and have it documented in my chart from multiple people in the office. And you, insurance company, Do you mean to tell me that you couldn't put your finger on a piece of correspondence between your company, a provider and your customer? Now, let's take a step back and look to see who we're working for...is it the patient? I'm not sure..."
Hopefully this will all be over with very soon! I know it's just a pothole in the road.
Monday, March 26, 2007
A Bump in the Road...
Well, insurance paperwork is surely a pain! Although I have been given a date for surgery, I continue to have problems with the doctor's "surgery scheduler" getting the "correct" information from the insurance company. I received a faxed copy of the letter that states I am eligible for surgery. However, they are requiring a letter from the insurance that states I am covered for the surgery at the hospital where the surgery will occur (a preauthorization and a confirmation number). In the past week I have called BC/BS AL PPO no less than 10 times trying to get a copy of this letter for the doctor's office. Additionally, I have also called my patient advocate and the surgery scheduler as many times trying to get to the bottom of this. Today I was told by the insurance company that the letters have been mailed which have all of the requested info in them. I requested, for the third time that the insurance company fax the preauthorization letter for both the surgery and hospital. I checked the office fax machine today before leaving the office and found once again, that there was no fax from the insurance waiting for me. I put on my "Boss Lady" voice and called the insurance company. After explaining the situation to the second person I have talked to with BC/BS AL today, I asked for a supervisor. Remember the post about the squeaky wheel getting the grease? Well, it must have paid off because she "found" a request for all of the documentation and reports it is scheduled to be faxed tomorrow morning. We'll see...
I really just think this is another game to be played between the insurance company and the doctor's office and I'm the pawn. Well, the Boss Lady has had enough! Next stop, Dr. D! Rant over!
Believe it or not, I am looking forward to the surgery! I have been looking for a gown to wear. I'm not sure if I need to wear a new gown in the hospital...but the thought of those ugly hospital gowns is not very appealing! Why can't they make really cool looking gowns with bright colors? Maybe I need to market that idea. Maybe I shouldn't have posted that online!?!? ;o) I have found some really cute pajamas but have heard that it is really better not to plan to wear pj's as they can bind the abdomen following surgery and may not be as functional as they should be. Therefore, I am stuck looking at gowns with flowers on them instead of cute palm trees, monkeys, or something bright and colorful. There's still hope! I've still got a few places to look!
I really just think this is another game to be played between the insurance company and the doctor's office and I'm the pawn. Well, the Boss Lady has had enough! Next stop, Dr. D! Rant over!
Believe it or not, I am looking forward to the surgery! I have been looking for a gown to wear. I'm not sure if I need to wear a new gown in the hospital...but the thought of those ugly hospital gowns is not very appealing! Why can't they make really cool looking gowns with bright colors? Maybe I need to market that idea. Maybe I shouldn't have posted that online!?!? ;o) I have found some really cute pajamas but have heard that it is really better not to plan to wear pj's as they can bind the abdomen following surgery and may not be as functional as they should be. Therefore, I am stuck looking at gowns with flowers on them instead of cute palm trees, monkeys, or something bright and colorful. There's still hope! I've still got a few places to look!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Oil, That is...Black Gold, Texas "T"
As I was leaving town on Friday night I received a call from the surgeon's office that they were ready to schedule my surgery. I can't believe it! Can it really be happening? She said the earliest available surgery date is April 9th. Yes, Easter Monday. However, the kicker is that it will not be at the hospital where I was initially told it will be. I will have the surgery at a hospital about 25 minutes from the house. I could wait and have it a different hospital but at this point I want to get the surgery over with. I have plans this summer!
On Saturday the surgeon's office called again. A bad mobile phone connection in the black hole around my mom's house meant she had to leave a message on our home phone. Although the next message was equally as cryptic, there was something stated about needing an "approval letter" for the hospital where they have scheduled the surgery. Hopefully this will not be a roadblock to the surgery...maybe it's just a minute detour as I'm pretty sure that the hospital is in our insurance network.
Today is my birthday and I guess you could say that I've gotten everything I've ever wanted...bypass included! I am so thankful for all of my friends who are supporting me at this time. Most importantly, I'm thankful for my wonderful husband who replied, "You're already my trophy wife," today during a conversation about the future. I have definitely struck it rich!
On Saturday the surgeon's office called again. A bad mobile phone connection in the black hole around my mom's house meant she had to leave a message on our home phone. Although the next message was equally as cryptic, there was something stated about needing an "approval letter" for the hospital where they have scheduled the surgery. Hopefully this will not be a roadblock to the surgery...maybe it's just a minute detour as I'm pretty sure that the hospital is in our insurance network.
Today is my birthday and I guess you could say that I've gotten everything I've ever wanted...bypass included! I am so thankful for all of my friends who are supporting me at this time. Most importantly, I'm thankful for my wonderful husband who replied, "You're already my trophy wife," today during a conversation about the future. I have definitely struck it rich!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Oil Delivered...
Well, it looks like the squeaking might have paid off. I called the insurance this afternoon and found out that I meet the criteria and they are faxing the approval letter to me so I can begin the last few step before going under the knife. I'm so excited...but I'm a little nervous, too. Hopefully by tomorrow I'll have a scheduled surgery date! Squeak, squeak!....
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Kids and the Slowly Shrinking BMI
Our kids are out of town this week and it has given me more time to think about not eating on a schedule. I came home from work to day and had the opportunity for a 45 minute nap. After that I had the "luxury" of cleaning all of the stuff out of my car so I can get a new one in a few days. This was not one of my favorite things to do (cleaning) but I did it anyway. While I was cleaning (without interruptions) I had the opportunity to reflect on the lack of time I have given toward thinking about food or eating in general. As I worked I realized I was not hungry, even though it had been nearly 8 hrs. since my last meal. I guess with the kids being gone I didn't feel the need to come home and begin a meal; nor did I feel the need to come home and feed myself just because I was home. Guess I'm changing *me* after all. I decided I needed a trip to the kitchen for a glass of water and a "checkin" with the scales.
Wow! I haven't been near the scales in a few days and I decided to weigh in tonight. Imagine my surprise when the scales read 318 pounds. I had to weigh two other times just to make sure it wasn't a fluke! I hit my program button on the scale to check my BMI and found out that I had gone under my BMI of 50+ to 49.8! Yea! This was one of my goals I wanted to accomplish before I had surgery.
Speaking of surgery, I called the insurance again today to check on my status with the request for surgery. I was told that the request had been received but there was still no answer and to try back in 14 days. Yeah, whatever! I'll try back in a couple of days. I guess you could say I'm on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday calling schedule with them until they give me the answer I want. Hopefully I'll have more decisive news on Wednesday!
Wow! I haven't been near the scales in a few days and I decided to weigh in tonight. Imagine my surprise when the scales read 318 pounds. I had to weigh two other times just to make sure it wasn't a fluke! I hit my program button on the scale to check my BMI and found out that I had gone under my BMI of 50+ to 49.8! Yea! This was one of my goals I wanted to accomplish before I had surgery.
Speaking of surgery, I called the insurance again today to check on my status with the request for surgery. I was told that the request had been received but there was still no answer and to try back in 14 days. Yeah, whatever! I'll try back in a couple of days. I guess you could say I'm on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday calling schedule with them until they give me the answer I want. Hopefully I'll have more decisive news on Wednesday!
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
As the Wagon Wheel Squeaks...
I spoke to the insurance company today. They have the documents from the surgeon and are currently reviewing the possibility for me to receive the surgery. Fingers are crossed and I'm waiting rather impatiently for their decision!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Update on the surgery
I went to the doctor last week. I had lost 2 and a half pounds. I could have probably lost more but kind of lost myself in food while Big Daddy was in the hospital. As I finished with my appointment, I asked for copies of my records for my visits during the "medically supervised diet and weight loss program" that I have been completing with my PCP. I decided to take a chance and run them by the surgeon's office (to drop them off) to my patient advocate. Luckily, she was there.
As we reviewed my chart, Grace said she thinks I might have all of the work done that is needed to submit my claim! Wow! Can it be true? Am I that close to having the surgery? She explained the process that would happen next and gave me a sembalance of a timeline. I began calling the insurance the next day...to see if they had "received" my file and if it was in "review.''
I have called the insurance agency over the past few days and they still do not have the claim. I called Grace yesterday, who is so extremely patient with my pushiness, and she reported that the insurance folks at the surgeon's office still had my file and were writing the letter of "Medical Necessity" to send in with my "Preauthorization." I called again this morning as Grace has advised that the "Squeaky wheel gets the grease..." and they still don't have the claim. I'm sure they'll have it tomorrow. Before I hung up with the claim processor I told her, "I guess I'll be talking to you tomorrow..." She just chuckled...guess she's been there before.
As we reviewed my chart, Grace said she thinks I might have all of the work done that is needed to submit my claim! Wow! Can it be true? Am I that close to having the surgery? She explained the process that would happen next and gave me a sembalance of a timeline. I began calling the insurance the next day...to see if they had "received" my file and if it was in "review.''
I have called the insurance agency over the past few days and they still do not have the claim. I called Grace yesterday, who is so extremely patient with my pushiness, and she reported that the insurance folks at the surgeon's office still had my file and were writing the letter of "Medical Necessity" to send in with my "Preauthorization." I called again this morning as Grace has advised that the "Squeaky wheel gets the grease..." and they still don't have the claim. I'm sure they'll have it tomorrow. Before I hung up with the claim processor I told her, "I guess I'll be talking to you tomorrow..." She just chuckled...guess she's been there before.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
