I have healthpartners too :)

After I completed my calls, lab work, psych eval, bariatrician eval, and dietician, it was less than a month till surgery!!  After my last appointment with the aformentioned people, they sent my paperwork in and it was approved within a week.   They were able to get me in to see the surgeon the next week, then he set up my surgery for 10 days after I saw him. I did not have Dr Kelly though...

so you called health partners daily to check?  Who did you call just the main claims number?

If you're willing to do the road-trip thing, here's a good place to start -

http://www.parknicollet.com/bariatrics/

Everyone here who has had a good experience will probably want to promote the program they went through, and that's a good thing.  I know that with PN, I didn't have any run-around - once they agreed I was a good candidate, they took the reins and navigated all the steps I needed to take to make it happen for me. 

If you have records of all the hoops you've already jumped through, i would think they would be able to use that information to streamline your approval.  It depends a great deal on your insurance, of course, but it helps to have a pro-active bariatric program on your side!  My approval took only 2 weeks once it was submitted - it would have been faster, but some cog in the insurance wheel went on vacation for a week, leaving my file sitting on her des****il she got back.

Good luck to you - do your research as much as possible online, then when you choose a program that clicks with you, you can probably consolidate any appointments needed into a one or two day trip!

Thank you!!! At this point I am willing to do anything,,,do you have an address and a phone number. I will give them a call..besides roadtrips can be fun. Again, thanks for the advice.  christi

 I don't know of any. It may be worth your while to make the big trip to the Twin Cities as there are several wonderful programs up here; Park Nicollette, Abbott, Unity.