ObesityHelp

what a bummer!!

I had to do a lot of following up with both my PCP and Centennial...just to be on the safe side. I ran into delays and was given the typical excuses...but the badgering all paid off in the end :-) I actually didn't even start dealing w/the financial people at centennial until I had everything I needed and even then it took almost 2 months until I finally got my approval due to delays. Well, anyways, hang in there Scott.... you're almost there!!

Yea with the staff at centennial they are real nice and all, but It’s my feeling that I’m being treated like a cash cow, just one of countless in the heard....just Poor follow up on there part. I’m seriously thinking about dumping Dr Dyer’s office and the Centennial Center for the treatment of Obesity

1.      My original meeting which acquire over a month and a half wait to meet with Dr. Dyer was lost. So it was rescheduled a week later on a Friday 3pm as a squeeze in.  

2.    Dr. Dyer’s presentation of the surgery information/ flip chart was giving in such monotonous way ,it was liked I was his two thousands something patient he had to tell it to that day.  

3.    He told the office person (nurse already went home) that I needed some additional test done (blood clots/ breathing) but it was not needed schedule until I was approved for surgery ( why spend the money if not approve). Both were set up for the next week one on Monday the other on Friday.  

4.    The request to the insurance company was sent on October 8 2007. Cigna contact them back in two day saying they needed the corresponding surgery code. I called  one week later to Cigna to check on the status and was told they are still waiting for the code.  

5.    Call to talk to someone at 8:15am got the machine, left a message; Call again at 10:00am left another message, they did not call back. On the third time {2:45pm} I called and the lady at front desk answered I guess, she looked it up ,and said we did it right the first time when we sent it?????We sent it in with the WLS, code. I said they told me they needed the corresponding code for RNY.  Oh,She said she would take care of it.  I called back today and was told the RNY code was faxed.

Now once again I'm standing by.

 

Thanks Scott, I don't hate the place, but I do believe some changes needs to take place because as more people open up to the idea of wls the place will be getting more hectic.

Hi Guys - I believe I have talked with both of you since your original postings and I apologize for any delays on our part. Please realize that at many of your doctors offices, the request for medical records falls to the bottom of their "to do" list. As some mentioned the best way to insure everything gets to us is to pick it up at your doctors office, keep a copy yourself and send a copy to us. While certainly having records faxed is quicker, we are both still relying on machines.

We at Centennial are always trying to make our process more efficient and in doing so, recently we redistributed the insurance providers among our financial counselors to make their workloads more even. I can assure you, we all remember going through the insurance approval process (two of our finanical counselors have had surgery, another is in the process of completing her medical weight loss attempt for surgery; our assistant manager, our financial manager and I have all been through the process), we know it is a difficult time and we are dedicated to doing all we can to get you approved. I would encourage you to consider the availability of continued support (access to dietitians, exercise specialist, support groups, psychologist, etc.) when making your decision regarding surgery. Talk to patients of different surgeons, different programs, attend their support groups, get a good feeling for the overall program as well as the surgeon. If I can be of any further assistance, please contact me directly at (615) 342- 7490. Pam Davis, RN, CBN, CCM Bariatric Clinical Manager Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity

 

Scott, I did read your additional posts - I just wanted to make sure everyone knows if they are having any issues that they are welcome to contact me directly. We've really been on a roll this month with approvals, I'm hoping we will have yours this week. Pam Davis, RN, CBN, CCM Bariatric Clinical Manager Centennial Center for the Treatment of Obesity

Just sending you a big ole hug Scott!  I would be upset too!!!

Scott Yes that is a bummer!  I hope they are able to get everything in order so you wont have to wait another month! Big G - If I were you, call the insurance company and make sure they received it.  Double check on both ends... at the doctor's to make sure they sent it, then at the ins co to make sure they got it.  If not, then have the doctor's office send it again, call ins co, you get the point.  Don't give up! Good luck!

Sorry Melanie!  I know it's Melinda!  don't know where my head was a that time of day!

Thanks Susan!  That means a lot coming from you!  I slept well last evening and am ready for a good day!  My motto today is gonna be..."Kill 'em with kindness".  It's too much work to be angry! Have a great day! Scott

No reason to apologize that is why we are all here. I am sure everything will get straightened out. You will be on your way before long.  Best of luck, Ellen