MY Road To Surgery

Oct 15, 2010

Well, just as my day was going on as normal, i got the call I had been hoping to get for over a year now. See I started my journey into getting my surgery last October, I got my appointment with a bariatric surgeon, went and got all the test I needed done for the surgery, then all I needed to do was wait for my insurance to get back to my surgeon for a approval. I thought I had nothing to worry about, but I was wrong. I got a call from the surgeon's office saying that I had been denied by my insurance. They said the insurance told then that my plan did not cover that kind of surgery, which was very confusing to me, because before I ever made a appointment with the doctor, I called my insurance to make sure that I would be covered, and was told yes. I was crushed! I thought for sure I was on my way to a healthier life, less back pain, doing things i couldn't do with my kids, and feeling better, like i did before I had gained all the weight. The surgeon told me that it wasn't over, that they would appeal, so i felt alittle better after that, but then the weeks after turned into months, and when I would call the doctors office, they would tell me just to wait, it takes time, and i believed them. well finally in July, I get a letter from the insurance telling me my appeal was denied because my doctors office didn't submit in the time frame allowed. I couldn't believe it, the doctors office told me they were on top of it, so when i called to tell them about the letter, and talk to the doctor, they told me they would have him call me back, but i never heard back from them. At that point I gave up on it. I knew without the insurance paying their part, there was no way I could afford it. Then, on August 15TH, I received a letter in the mail from my insurance telling me that they have a bariatric coordinator who would like to speak to me about my options, and to call her at the number listed. Options, what options, I thought I had none! So the next day, I called to talk to this woman, and she tells me that I do have coverage, and have had it, but I'm not covered unless I go to one of the doctors at a center of excellence. So she gave me the name of two doctors that were qualified, so the next day I called them, and the doctor called me the next morning and talked to me for about 20 min, and I had a appointment with him less than a week latter! I went and picked up all of my records from the first doctor, and took them in with me to my appointment, and since I did all that was required to have the surgery, he just had to submit to the insurance and waited for a approval. His office administrator, has been so great to me also. He has dealt with my insurance, and anything they have needed, and has been very caring, and compassionate to me! I cannot thank him and my doctor enough for making my dream come to a reality! I am ready to start my new, healthy, life! I am also so glad that my doctor told me about this website. I have really learned allot, and have read about allot of people, and their journeys, the good, and the not so easy. I hope to make lasting friends, and get, and give support when needed. Thank you all for your inspiration!!! Take Care, that's all for now!

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