Donna R.
I finally started my journey on June 4, 2010 the date of my initial consultation with Dr. Jawad. I was so excited, I learned that my insurance company only required a nutritional evaluation and a psych evaluation in order to recieve approval. I left the office ready willing and able to do what every it took to get an approval. My first stop was meeting with the nutritionist. I called for an appointment one day and had an appointment the next day. I thought this process was goning to be a breeze. That appointment went smoothly, I learned a lot of information and was even given some protein samples. My next step was to find a therapist that does WLS evaluations, believe it or not these are not easy to come by. I called my EAP from work and asked if this would be a covered item so I wouldn't have to pay out of pocket for this expense, and I was told it was. Now came the hard part for weeks they were unable to find a therapist in our area that would accept my insurance. After numerous calls and weeks of waiting I decided to give up and call the therapist that the doctors office recommended and pay out of pocket. I called their office and I was again lucky to get an appointment right away. Within 2 days I met with the therapist, too my 240 question psych test and passed with flying colors. They immediately game me a letter telling me I was of sound mind (I keep this with me at all times just incase someone tells me I am crazy! LOL) then they immediately faxed the letter to Dr. Jawad's office.
I am starting to feel real good about this, I got both requirements done and sent to the Dr. now all I will have to do is wait for my insurance approval. Wrong. I have been waiting and waiting. I have call the Dr.'s office 3 times left messages each time with the response that I would get a call back within 72 hours, this never happened on any of my calls. My husband called one and got the same thing. After posting here on OH about my frustration, I was given advise as to how to get a hold of someone in the doctors office. I took the advice and I actually got to speak to the person in charge of the predeterminations. She assured me that everything was sent to my ins. company. I have been calling my insurance company and they have not received my file.
I spoke to an agent in the Bariatric area of the ins. company gave her all my info and I got a call back within an hour informing me that the dr.'s office sent the file to the wrong office and they were going to fax everything to her right away. That was July 6, 2010.
As of July 14,2010 I haven't heard anything.
July 19, 2010, I finally heard from my insurance company that I had been approved. I called odalys at Dr. Jawad's office immediately, I left a message wanting to know when we could schedule a surgery date.
Jly 20, 2010, I still have not heard from the doctors office for a surgery date.
