Insurance question
I had VSG on 3/15/11 in Mexico and I do not plan to go all the back there just for follow up appts. Obviously I choose to do it that way because my insurance in no shape or form covers bariatric surgery of any kind. However, if I have my follow up visits here in the US w/ primary care doctor, will my insurance cover those visits and any lab work associated, or do I need to try and work the system - make and appt for "another" reason and ask Dr. not to bill stuff like labs under a WLS surgery code if possible? Has anyone else been through this? I have BCBS. Also, what did they do at your 1 month follow up visit anyway? I don't think labs are needed until 3 months post op.
I can also ask Dr. to bill it under "fatigue" because I have come in with that complaint for years now and they still can't figure out what's wrong w/ me!
I can also ask Dr. to bill it under "fatigue" because I have come in with that complaint for years now and they still can't figure out what's wrong w/ me!
- Autumn
Although I have never been in this situation, Autumn, if I were you, I would not have it billed under any WLS codes because chances are, they will not cover it. Especially since they did not cover the surgery itself.
At my 2 week follow-up (which was Friday), they just asked a bunch of questions, looked at my surgical site, asked me if I had any questions, then advanced my diet. I do not need to go bac****il my 2 month follow-up, at which time they will do labs.
It may be a good idea for you to complain to your primary of "fatigue". Depending on your relationship with him/her, though, it might be a good idea for you to run these questions by him/her.
At my 2 week follow-up (which was Friday), they just asked a bunch of questions, looked at my surgical site, asked me if I had any questions, then advanced my diet. I do not need to go bac****il my 2 month follow-up, at which time they will do labs.
It may be a good idea for you to complain to your primary of "fatigue". Depending on your relationship with him/her, though, it might be a good idea for you to run these questions by him/her.
If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten. Change starts from within.....
Yes YOU are COVERED!! ........even if ya wind up with a post op complication acck!! sorry...lol Oh they may balk or 'say' they won't cover you but they always wind up payin!! That's what ya pay them for every month!
Your PCP doesn't submit to insurance with WLS codes. Only coded to bloodwork ordered, office visit.
My surgeon's in Cali. Im in NewMex. I had a 2 week post op check (check incisions, general once over and heads up to go home), and 3 month lab n once over that's it. I never physically saw my surgeon again. I fax my surgeon a copy of all my labs thereafter. ORDERED by him, but drawn by my PCP here in NewMex. My annual lab tests ordered are exactly the same every year for the rest of my VSG!! I have BCBS Cali.
you find out what labs YOUR SURGEON wants you to have done...and WHEN...my surgeon did 3 months, 6 months and at YEAR OUT. ANNUALLY thereafter My 3 month and annual draws were/are QUITE EXTENSIVE...14 vials!
Ya give the list yer surgeon faxes to you...to YOUR PCP
Your PCP orders the DRAW.
You MUST let your PCP know you've had VSG, so you are both on the same page (your health!!!) in this!
Tell him about it when you make an appt "for labwork" for your first draw, give him the list. Make sure ya make an early morning appt. and you are FASTING, NPO after midnight...and WELL HYDRATED especially the day before (makes for an easier draw)
You CAN fax those labs to your surgeon in Mex...but what for?
MAKE SURE YOU GET a HARD COPY of yer lab results...review em, check em out here if ya wanna labtests online http://www.labtestsonline.org/map/aindex.html or sum other...
....YOUR PCP will alert ya of any problem areas. Take it from there!
I cannot stress to you the IMPORTANCE of getting labs drawn especially the first year! Many Many deficiencies, complications, problems can happen to us....n ya want to GET on em...before they become problematic, yer playin catch up or the disease process begins!
IF ya have yer gallbladder...HEADS UP ...GB removal very common following WLS/rapid weight loss.
If ya need VSG dietary guidelines give us a shout out!
Yer a TOUGH COOKIE Brow!! Take care of yerself please!!
Your PCP doesn't submit to insurance with WLS codes. Only coded to bloodwork ordered, office visit.
My surgeon's in Cali. Im in NewMex. I had a 2 week post op check (check incisions, general once over and heads up to go home), and 3 month lab n once over that's it. I never physically saw my surgeon again. I fax my surgeon a copy of all my labs thereafter. ORDERED by him, but drawn by my PCP here in NewMex. My annual lab tests ordered are exactly the same every year for the rest of my VSG!! I have BCBS Cali.
you find out what labs YOUR SURGEON wants you to have done...and WHEN...my surgeon did 3 months, 6 months and at YEAR OUT. ANNUALLY thereafter My 3 month and annual draws were/are QUITE EXTENSIVE...14 vials!
Ya give the list yer surgeon faxes to you...to YOUR PCP
Your PCP orders the DRAW.
You MUST let your PCP know you've had VSG, so you are both on the same page (your health!!!) in this!
Tell him about it when you make an appt "for labwork" for your first draw, give him the list. Make sure ya make an early morning appt. and you are FASTING, NPO after midnight...and WELL HYDRATED especially the day before (makes for an easier draw)
You CAN fax those labs to your surgeon in Mex...but what for?
MAKE SURE YOU GET a HARD COPY of yer lab results...review em, check em out here if ya wanna labtests online http://www.labtestsonline.org/map/aindex.html or sum other...
....YOUR PCP will alert ya of any problem areas. Take it from there!
I cannot stress to you the IMPORTANCE of getting labs drawn especially the first year! Many Many deficiencies, complications, problems can happen to us....n ya want to GET on em...before they become problematic, yer playin catch up or the disease process begins!
IF ya have yer gallbladder...HEADS UP ...GB removal very common following WLS/rapid weight loss.
If ya need VSG dietary guidelines give us a shout out!
Yer a TOUGH COOKIE Brow!! Take care of yerself please!!
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