How do you get past the Customer Service "robot" that answers the phone? Is there a key person you ask for (nurse clinician, case worker, etc) or do you  just ask for the "Supervisor"?

I have called regarding a specific question... And I can't get past the robot...

Hi,

I was lucky enough to have the money to pay up front.  Call Dr. Aceves number and ask for Nina, she is the patient coordinator and tell her Suzanne suggested you call her.  She will work with you and answer all your questions as far as cost and a surgery date for you if you need.  She may also know of places that finance this surgery--ask her she is a sweetheart.

I have never worked with a kinder, more helpful and caring group of people.  I can tell you that you will NEVER  receive better care in a fully equipped state of the are hospital that with Dr. Aceves and his staff.  So many of these doctors that advertise on the Internet  are not up to the high standards that you will receive from Dr. Aveves and his entire staff. And when it comes to your health you want a doctor that DOES have HIGH STANDARDS.  Too many of them do WLS surgeries in a clinic and send you back to a hotel to recover and that is bad--and they will not tell you this before hand. 

I HIGHLY recommend Dr. Aceves and his entire staff of talented and caring people.  I would go back in a heart beat if I needed anything.  And when you see Dr. Aceves please tell him that Suzanne says hi and that I sent you to him.  Your only regret will be that you didn't do this sooner--that was my regret.

I am here for you or any questions that you may have about the surgery and the care--or anything you can think of.  I know when I talked to Nina not long ago they had some specials that they were running for WLS so please call ASAP and tell her I suggested you call and talk to her--she is an amazing lady to work with.  They are there for you every step of they way.

I read my Email daily so feel free to send any question that you have.

Hugs and take care,

Hello Suzanne,
 
I see that you had your surgery with Dr. Aceves in Mx. How was your experience? I am really considering it, but i keep getting the run around about the cost. Did you happen to go through beliteweight, or did you pay upfront?

 Hi everyone! So, my surgery is in 8 days, and as I'm looking around the site, I am noticing that there are lots of people who had to get Insurance Approval Letters and stuff........My question is this:

When I was scheduled for my surgery date, no one in the office mentioned anything to me about insurance. I got my date the same day I had my second consult. I am going to call tomorrow and make sure my insurance is all okay, but, I'm curious to all the BCBS'ers, did you guys need to wait for a letter? or did it just happen like mine?

My mom said that when she had hers (7 years ago) she didn't have to wait for a letter either...and she also mentioned that if there was a problem or if insurance wasn't covering it, they would have asked me how I was financing the procedure when they gave me the date....

I already have enough on my plate to stress out over, so, this is NOT something I'd like to add to it. anyone have any input on the matter?

Thanks!

 FEP 2011 Definition of Morbid Obesity:
A condition in which an individual has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or more, or an individual with a BMI of 35 or more with co-morbidities who has failed conservative treatment; eligible members must be age 18 or over.

Benefits for the surgical treatment of morbid obesity, performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis, are subject to the following pre-surgical requirements.
The following requirements apply to gastric restrictive procedures, gastric malabsorptive procedures, and combination restrictive and malabsorptive procedures to treat morbid obesity:

• Diagnosis of morbid obesity for a period of 2 years prior to surgery.
• Participation in a medically supervised weight loss program, including nutritional counseling, for at least 3 months prior to the date of surgery.
• Pre-operative nutritional assessment and nutritional counseling about pre- and post-operative nutrition, eating, and exercise.
• Evidence that attempts at weight loss in the 1 year period prior to surgery have been ineffective.
• Psychological assessment of the member's ability to understand and adhere to the pre- and post-operative program, performed by a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, psychiatric social worker, or psychiatric nurse.
• Patient has not smoked in the 6 months prior to surgery.
• Patient has not been treated for substance abuse for 1 year prior to surgery.

I am currently  starting the process for wls.. this is fed bcbs required goals. My BMI is 53,
my only concern is:the evidance of weight loss in the year prior being ineffective part... I have dieted and tried  but on my own.. I keep meeting that brick wall..lol... So how do I prove it if I have been doing it on my own?

I do My consult with surgeon this week...Have started my 3 month with my pcp.... )