Donna Childress
Boeing Insurance Rep Called Today
Oct 24, 2008
October 22, 2008
I'm bummed again! My Boeing Insurance Rep called me today and informed me that my Willingness to Comply letter had been received and was approved - that's the good news. The bad news is the 29 pages of doctors notes over the past few years had been received also, however, even though it showed some weight loss, and overall weight loss it also showed some gains! They would not accept it or the fact that I had lost about 100 pounds 4 years ago with weight watchers (I gained it back). This is the absolute pits!
I have 5 different doctor's letters all supporting my surgery. But no, that's not good enough for insurance company. How can they override doctor's!!! Looks like I will have to face 12 more months of dieting in vain afterall. Yes, I know I can loose a little weight - I always do. But I've always gained it back. I'm 55 years old and have spent my life dieting yo yoing up and down. How can they make me go through this all again!!!! It seems so unfair!!!!
I've been trying to loose weight this time around using Medifast and I'm so sick of it. Maybe I will need to switch to weight watchers again or Atkins for some variety. I have another doctor's weigh in scheduled for November 19th.
Gee I wonder what happens if I go under 35-40 BMI then insurance will probably say I don't need the surgery!!!! How can a person win their insurance game!!??
I'm bummed again! My Boeing Insurance Rep called me today and informed me that my Willingness to Comply letter had been received and was approved - that's the good news. The bad news is the 29 pages of doctors notes over the past few years had been received also, however, even though it showed some weight loss, and overall weight loss it also showed some gains! They would not accept it or the fact that I had lost about 100 pounds 4 years ago with weight watchers (I gained it back). This is the absolute pits!
I have 5 different doctor's letters all supporting my surgery. But no, that's not good enough for insurance company. How can they override doctor's!!! Looks like I will have to face 12 more months of dieting in vain afterall. Yes, I know I can loose a little weight - I always do. But I've always gained it back. I'm 55 years old and have spent my life dieting yo yoing up and down. How can they make me go through this all again!!!! It seems so unfair!!!!
I've been trying to loose weight this time around using Medifast and I'm so sick of it. Maybe I will need to switch to weight watchers again or Atkins for some variety. I have another doctor's weigh in scheduled for November 19th.
Gee I wonder what happens if I go under 35-40 BMI then insurance will probably say I don't need the surgery!!!! How can a person win their insurance game!!??
Doctor Weigh in Today
Oct 24, 2008
October 16, 2008
Saw my family physician today to start my 12 month documented doctor's diet program. My doctor is fully in support of me! I was down 10 pounds from my last weigh in back in June. I had a complete physical in March where weight and height and diet was discussed then too. So hopefully I can count my 12 months documentation from March?????
I also called my Boeing Insurance representative and got more information from her. She is going to send me a copy of everything that has been received by my insurance company thus far so I can personally review it along with a copy of my insurance companies gastric bypass requirements. I feel at this point it's best for me to fully jump in and have control of my outcomes with the help of my doctor's. This way I will have a copy of everything just in case things get lost or missplaced again.
I also sent in a long letter to my insurance company of my willingness to comply with both pre op and post op instructions. This was done through my mental health evaluation, but it seems the insurance company wanted it specifically from me. That is something I didn't know. My letter included the gastric bypass books I had read, cookbooks I had purchased for after surgery, a complete description of the exercise room I set up in my home with a listing of the exact equipment I purchased, my surgeons post op and pre op instructions and what I was doing or going to do to follow them, the support group I joined and where I would be purchasing my vitamins, etc. I was very detailed. I also had Dr. Oh's office send in 29 pages of my doctors records.
Saw my family physician today to start my 12 month documented doctor's diet program. My doctor is fully in support of me! I was down 10 pounds from my last weigh in back in June. I had a complete physical in March where weight and height and diet was discussed then too. So hopefully I can count my 12 months documentation from March?????
I also called my Boeing Insurance representative and got more information from her. She is going to send me a copy of everything that has been received by my insurance company thus far so I can personally review it along with a copy of my insurance companies gastric bypass requirements. I feel at this point it's best for me to fully jump in and have control of my outcomes with the help of my doctor's. This way I will have a copy of everything just in case things get lost or missplaced again.
I also sent in a long letter to my insurance company of my willingness to comply with both pre op and post op instructions. This was done through my mental health evaluation, but it seems the insurance company wanted it specifically from me. That is something I didn't know. My letter included the gastric bypass books I had read, cookbooks I had purchased for after surgery, a complete description of the exercise room I set up in my home with a listing of the exact equipment I purchased, my surgeons post op and pre op instructions and what I was doing or going to do to follow them, the support group I joined and where I would be purchasing my vitamins, etc. I was very detailed. I also had Dr. Oh's office send in 29 pages of my doctors records.
Support Group Meeting
Oct 24, 2008
October 14, 2008
Everyone on Obesity Help Website has been so helpful. I wrote about a week back that insurance had been denied and I got so many wonderful and helpful replies. I know now that the insurance company doesn't care about me they just care about the almighty $$$. I am going to fight them every step of the way! Tonight I attended a WLS support group at Merrilou's house in Auburn. Everyone was so friendly and supportive. Merrilou even sells very high quality vitamins - so now I know where I will be getting them once I have my surgery - which I am bound and determined I will have eventually. I am going to attend this wonderful meeting each and every month!
Everyone on Obesity Help Website has been so helpful. I wrote about a week back that insurance had been denied and I got so many wonderful and helpful replies. I know now that the insurance company doesn't care about me they just care about the almighty $$$. I am going to fight them every step of the way! Tonight I attended a WLS support group at Merrilou's house in Auburn. Everyone was so friendly and supportive. Merrilou even sells very high quality vitamins - so now I know where I will be getting them once I have my surgery - which I am bound and determined I will have eventually. I am going to attend this wonderful meeting each and every month!
Insurance Denial
Oct 24, 2008
October 9, 2008
I'm so down today I just want to crawl under my blankets and cry myself to sleep for the next year! I did not meet all my insurance criteria. I have to have 12 months documented weight loss attempts with no gains through a doctor, within the 12 months prior to surgery request. I have lots of documentation with my doctor, and I lost a few pounds overall, but I had some gains also during that period. What normal person doesn't go up and down a bit when trying to loose weight. This seems so darn impossible. I just want to give up and quit, but know I can't or I may never live to see my grandchildren.......I feel so helpless and hopeless right now.......
I'm so down today I just want to crawl under my blankets and cry myself to sleep for the next year! I did not meet all my insurance criteria. I have to have 12 months documented weight loss attempts with no gains through a doctor, within the 12 months prior to surgery request. I have lots of documentation with my doctor, and I lost a few pounds overall, but I had some gains also during that period. What normal person doesn't go up and down a bit when trying to loose weight. This seems so darn impossible. I just want to give up and quit, but know I can't or I may never live to see my grandchildren.......I feel so helpless and hopeless right now.......
Hurray My information has been faxed and received by Insurance
Oct 24, 2008
September 26, 2008
Yes! All my information is now at my Boeing Traditional Insurance company going through the review process. I was told I should have an answer within 15 business days or sooner. My heart is pounding and I feel sick with worry.....15 days is so long to wait
Yes! All my information is now at my Boeing Traditional Insurance company going through the review process. I was told I should have an answer within 15 business days or sooner. My heart is pounding and I feel sick with worry.....15 days is so long to wait
Great Frustration and lack of communication
Oct 24, 2008
September 18, 2008
I have been playing phone tag for the past couple of weeks between my insurance company, Dr. Oh's office, my heart specialist office, and trying to track down my completed missing mental health evaluation. I finally had to go pick up another copy of it from the records department at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue. I then hand carried it to Dr. Oh's after making copies of it. Somehow Dr. Oh's office never received the fax'd copy. Hopefully now perhaps everything will get sent in to my insurance company for pre-authorization. I'm so frustrated this is all taking so long - I'm discovering I'm a very impatient person....
I have been playing phone tag for the past couple of weeks between my insurance company, Dr. Oh's office, my heart specialist office, and trying to track down my completed missing mental health evaluation. I finally had to go pick up another copy of it from the records department at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue. I then hand carried it to Dr. Oh's after making copies of it. Somehow Dr. Oh's office never received the fax'd copy. Hopefully now perhaps everything will get sent in to my insurance company for pre-authorization. I'm so frustrated this is all taking so long - I'm discovering I'm a very impatient person....
Mental Evaluation
Oct 24, 2008
August 11, 2008 at 11:00pm. I had my mental health evulation with Dr. Christine Agustin. It all went much easier than expected. I was asked questions about my past dieting attempts successes and failures, family history, what I was expecting from the surgery, what I new about the surgery - complications, etc., post op and pre op requirements, etc. I was informed that I was a great candidate for surgery. Hurray!!!!
More Blogidity updates
Oct 24, 2008
August 15, 2008
Back to Dr. Oh for my EGD follow up appointment. Took my weight - oops I'm up about 4 pounds. Got my tail chewed a bit. Was told I need to loose 10% of my flab to shrink my liver before surgery. My EGD showed that I have inflammation of the esophagus, intenstines, and have a hiatal hernia. Dr. Oh said he will repair hernia when I have my surgery. I need to loose 10% weight and all my information will be turned into insurance company soon. I've decided to go ahead and do my mental health evaluation soon so hopefully things will go faster.
Back to Dr. Oh for my EGD follow up appointment. Took my weight - oops I'm up about 4 pounds. Got my tail chewed a bit. Was told I need to loose 10% of my flab to shrink my liver before surgery. My EGD showed that I have inflammation of the esophagus, intenstines, and have a hiatal hernia. Dr. Oh said he will repair hernia when I have my surgery. I need to loose 10% weight and all my information will be turned into insurance company soon. I've decided to go ahead and do my mental health evaluation soon so hopefully things will go faster.
More Blog Updating, blog, blog
Oct 24, 2008
August 1, 2008
Had my EGD/endoscopy today. Had a colonscopy a few months back so at least I didn't have to have it done to both ends - ha ha ha. The proceedure itself was a breeze. The IV was awful. I'm a hard stick and my veins are fragile and collapse and roll. Took about 5 pokes. Finally brought in super lady and she got me. Wish I could remember her name so I can request her the next time - if I have a next time.
Had my EGD/endoscopy today. Had a colonscopy a few months back so at least I didn't have to have it done to both ends - ha ha ha. The proceedure itself was a breeze. The IV was awful. I'm a hard stick and my veins are fragile and collapse and roll. Took about 5 pokes. Finally brought in super lady and she got me. Wish I could remember her name so I can request her the next time - if I have a next time.
More Blog Updating
Oct 24, 2008
July 7th, 2008
Saw Dr. Oh today for my surgery consultation. He's very brief and very quick - so make sure you have any questions you want to ask written down before you see him. I had mine in my head and totally forgot them when I was with him! Also make sure you know which surgery you want before you meet with him. He will want to know. It's your choice. I chose the Rouen Y because I am a sugar junky and from my research sugar junkies get the best results with this surgery. Dr. Oh also set up my endoscopy appointment with him for Friday, Aug 1st 2008 at 8:00am at St. Francis Hospital - Yuck I hate having IV's!
Saw Dr. Oh today for my surgery consultation. He's very brief and very quick - so make sure you have any questions you want to ask written down before you see him. I had mine in my head and totally forgot them when I was with him! Also make sure you know which surgery you want before you meet with him. He will want to know. It's your choice. I chose the Rouen Y because I am a sugar junky and from my research sugar junkies get the best results with this surgery. Dr. Oh also set up my endoscopy appointment with him for Friday, Aug 1st 2008 at 8:00am at St. Francis Hospital - Yuck I hate having IV's!
About Me
Maple Valley, WA
Location
34.5
BMI
Surgery
05/21/2009
Surgery Date
Jul 18, 2008
Member Since
