Insurance question-Please help!!

My sister has been recommended for gastric bypass by several doctors now but is having a problem finding a surgeon that accepts her insurance.  The insurance company said it could take up to 30 days to find a provider for her- which we both think is unacceptable!!  They should be able to direct her to someone quicker than that!  I have been a lurker on this site on her behalf for a while now and thought maybe someone else with the same insurance can point us to a doctor.  She has Healthcare USA which is an HMO.  She lives in Lee's Summit, MO but is willing to travel as far as needed.  Thank you and bless you all!!!   

Doesn't she have a provider handbook or anything?  Most insurance companies provide you with that, or have that information on their web site.    The insurance company should already know what physicians in the state of Missouri accept their insurance, and have those physicians classified by their field of specialty (i.e., surgeon, pediatrician, oncology, etc.....).    If it were me, I'd call back,  and try again, often getting a different person will give you different results; and this time ask them to send you a provider handbook, or ask if they have a listing of physicians in your area on their web site. Question:  were any of these doctors that recommended your sister providers in her plan?  If so, perhaps they know of, or could recommend, bariatric surgeons also within the plan. 

Thank you for the reply... She doesn't have a handbook.  Her insurance is actually through Medicaid but the lady she talked to at customer service told her when she is calling clinics not to tell them that Healthcare USA is Medicaid.  As you said.... "The insurance company should already know what physicians in the state of Missouri accept their insurance, and have those physicians classified by their field of specialty (i.e., surgeon, pediatrician, oncology, etc.....)."  That is EXACTLY my point too!!!  She called them back today and still a brick wall, no one knows anything... they will call back within 30 days.  BS!!!  The surgeons her referring doctor gave her do not accept her insurance.  She is going to call his office again tomorrow and see if they will help her find someone.  No one seems to care!  It is SO frustrating!!!!

Ahhh - okay.  Have you seen this thread here on the board?  It gives the names of some doctors in Missouri that accept Medicaid and Medicare.  What I would do, is contact the ones found in that thread that accept Medicaid and ask them if they accept Healthcare USA.  If that insurance is actually medicaid, then you need a doctor that knows that medicaid.

 Dear Carrie, Dr. Hornbostel in Sedalia takes Healthcare USA.  I just had surgery on Jan 3.  They have a case manager who can explain the requirements.  I do know you need a 6 month dr supervised diet. Kelly

Thanks for the replies! Kelly,    Thank you for the info!  We are planning a call to Dr. Hornbostel Monday morning!!  That is wonderful news because he is close to us and I have read great reviews on him!  Can you tell me if the diet has to be supervised by him or my sister's regular doctor?  Because she has tried a diet that her regular doctor put her on.  We are kind of in a rush for time because she only has the next two months off work, and we am scared the process won't move that fast!   Thanks again!!  I'm so glad I found this forum! 

Kelly,  I forgot to tell you best of luck and I hope you are doing great after the recent surgery!!  It is wonderful that you are on this forum giving advice and support to others in need so soon after!  God bless!!!!!!!! Carrie