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Neely, first I had trouble contacting them but it must  have been a computer glitch because they have certainly made it up to me.  My problem is different.  I have an exclusion.  I'm waiting to see if my employer picks up the rider again in December.  If not, I think I might fight the exclusion and I would use Walter & Kelley.  We'll see.  Your PCP office staff is aweful!  I'm sure you are very frustrated and discouraged but hang in there.  Could you ask if Walter or Kelley can call the MD office on your behalf.  Maybe that will get them moving.  When all is said and done, I would file a grievance against them and find a new PCP.

Good luck.  I hope I helped a little.  Whatever  you do, don't give up.  It's these obstacles that makes us fight harder and shows how badly we want the WLS.  So keep fighting!!!

Maria in CT

I hired Walter Lindstrom of  Obesity Law & Advocacy back in May to handle my appeals.  The jury is still out about how I feel about them.  I have been a client since May and have never actually spoken to Walter.  I seems as though all contact actually is handled by his wife/partner Kelley Brown.  I can say that it has been nice to not have to worry about doing the appeal letters myself.  They say they have over a 90% success rate for appealing to those insurance companies actually cover the surgery.  They have just sent out my 2nd and final appeal to the company I work for who is the "Administrar" of my insurance plan through United Healthcare.  One thing I don't really like about how things have been handled is the fact that the appeal letter's that have been sent out on my behalf have not had a lot of personal information about why I qualify for the proceedure as I had reqested.  It quoted some case history and other quotes from the NIH and about 2 small paragraphs about my information.  From what I have read about these appeals, the more personal information (medically, history) you include the better your chances are that your denial will be overturned.  I also don't like that they aren't good at returning calls and following through with information.  It may be worth just hiring them for the first appeal and then handling any further appeals on your own. 

I have also hired them for an exclusion and so far have been pleased. it has been six weeks and we are about to file the first appeal. they have been good about getting in touch with me by phone and email. as far as payment goes they will work with you to get a payment situation that you can handle.
holly