Heather A.
More issues with the scheduling Nazi...
Dec 01, 2008
Well, after my last post I continued to call the surgeon's office and finally got through to speak with the scheduler (whom my Angel and I now refer to as the scheduling Nazi). Well, she confirms she has my faxed approval and asks whether I have attended my class at which point I asked "what class? I attended the required seminar." She informed me that I had to attend a 3 hour class with the nurses and upon completion of the class I would receive my surgery date. So, I asked when was the soonest I could get into a class? The Nazi told me not until the 12th of December and that currently they are scheduling out to mid January. I was so bummed. Having this surgery before the end of the year meant the world to me.
My mother who was my best friend, greatest support and my world passed away from complications of renal failure on September 3rd of this year. We worked together and she had pushed to change our insurance company so WLS was no longer an exclusion for me. I had worked hard to lose over 70% of my excess weight prior to her getting so ill and with caring for her I neglected myself and later found out I had severe hypothyroidism. Well she found a company that didn't exclude WLS and accepted her with her pre-existing conditions. Our new insurance went into effect on September 1st at which point I promised her I would get the surgery she passed away 2 days later and all she wanted was for me to have the surgery and be healthy in 2009. So, for no other reason but for my mom I would like the surgery performed in 2008. And the scheduling Nazi knows this.
Well, after getting scheduled for the December 12th class the Nazi calls me the next day returning on of the messages I had left her. This conversation is different. First off she never received my faxed approval from the insurance company so, they don't usually schedule for the class until they have the approval in hand. However, because I ahve been so diligent with all my appointments and paperwork she will go ahead and schedule me for the class on the 5th of December. I was like, "What?" you just told me yesterday the next class for RNY wasn't until the 12th of December and that you had my approval in hand. So, WTF? Of course this was the words in my head I would never have actually siad this out loud. So, I am now schedueld for the educational class this Friday the 5th and then we'll see when I can get my surgery scheduled.
It just frustrates me because this particular person has lied blatantly to me and she is supposed to be a professional. I know she talks to a ton of patients daily but she should really keep her lies straight.
Sorry, I am done venting now. Hope everyone is finding progress wherever they are on this journey.
Heather
I'm Approved!!!!
Nov 25, 2008
Well, I just got off the phone with my insurance company and guess what... I am approved. They mailed out the approval letters yesterday and also faxed a copy to the surgeon's office. So, now I am waiting on a surgery date. What do I do to make this go faster....I have been calling the surgeon's scheduler every 15 minutes leaving only one message an hour. And I will continue until she calls me back. I don't have a lot of faith in her because she delayed getting my paperwork submitted in the first place. She sat on my file for a couple days before giving to the nurse for review and then sat on it prior to sending it over to the insurance company. So, I will continue to assault her with phone calls and voicemails. I will wear her down.....
Just Waiting
Nov 19, 2008
November 19, 2008
I am here waiting on insurance approval. I have completed all the requirement criteria including the 6 month doctor monitored weight loss program, psych evaluation, 6 months therapy, nutritionist consultation, gallbladder ultrasound and upper GI. I confirmed with the surgeon's office everything had been reviewed by the nurse and was sent on Monday. I have heard really good things about my insurance company regarding quick approval as long as you have met all their criteria, which I have. I just hate to get my hopes up.
When I initially attended the information seminar (required before I could schedule a consult) the nurse said I could realistically plan on surgery in as soon as 6 weeks as I had already completed everything neccessary for insurance approval well, that was over 5 weeks ago. I was really hoping to have my surgery the week of Decmeber 15th that way I could have the holidays off for recovery. They will be the first since my mom's passing and I know they are going to be very rough. I can't get through a regular day without breaking down let alone a special occasion. Keepin' my fingers crossed....
