Insurance - Written Exclusion

I have Coventry Healthcare of GA and after some research on here as well as talking to them directly I learned that they quit offering the Bariatric Surgery and put it in their written exclusions.  I tried applying for a loan to get the surgery but was denied twice.  So, as a last resort I sent a letter to the main office located here in Atlanta.  Two days later I received a phone call from a lady at Coventry (I am still kicking myself for not getting her name!) who said that I needed to have my doctor fax over their authorization form and his clinicals and they would review my case.  YAY!  Right?  NOPE!  After talking to my doctor he had me come in and have an ekg and some blood drawn.  As we are talking he informs me that this is all a waste b/c they are not going to approve it.  He said since it was one of their written exclusions we were actually having to appeal.  He told me that then though they will most likely agree with his suggestion for the surgery they still will not pay for it.  At this point, I am waiting to hear the results of my blood work and what my doctor says we should do next.  Any advice?  Has anyone ever had to deal with this insurance company?  Do appeals usually get approved or is my doctor right? 

In our office we will not appeal exclusions anymore.  All insurance companies give you the line "send in your stuff and we will review it". A lot of patients tell me "my insurance said if you send in the stuff, they will look at it" and for us, it's wasted man hours, we've never won! They have never approved an exclusion for us.  You need the help of Gary, he's the real pro in this case. Shoot him an email ro call him and he can lead you in the right direction. I wish you all the best, I have been there, fought an exclusion for 2 years and had enough! Bonnie