Lisa's Weight Loss Surgery Journal
January 2, 2000!
HaPpY nEw YeAr!!!!! :)
It has been busy around here. Christmas came and went, and it was great. Bob gave me a digital camera, and I've been having a great time taking pics of all the birds and anything else that sits still! LOL!
Here is a picture of me, when I was much younger and thinner... amazing!
Still waiting on word from the insurance company. It has been two weeks, and I don't believe the surgeon's office has sent the letter of medical necessity in yet! Oh well... it will happen.
Thursday, January 6, 2000
Good News!
I found out today that the insurance company received the letter from the surgeon's office, and it will be reviewed next Wednesday! The doctor who reviews cases such as this only works Wednesdays (how very neat! I wonder where I sign up??)... so, I should know by the end of next week what the verdict is!! YES!!!
GeorgiaBob from the MillenniumBobs list got her insurance approval and her date today! GO GEORGIABOB!!!!!! She will be going in on the 18th! Woo-Hooo! :)
January 19, 2000
Well... I still don't know about my insurance
approval for weight loss surgery. It has been three weeks now that they
have had the request letter from my surgeon in their hands.
As I've mentioned before, the doc who reviews the surgical cases only comes
in on Wednesdays. He has his own practice, then he comes in to the
insurance company on Wednesdays to do reviews for denial/approval of
surgeries. Well... I called my insurance company, and they are just as
frustrated as I am. The doctor has not shown up yet. This is the 3rd week
he just "didn't come in", without bothering to call or ANYTHING. They are
trying to get ahold of him to find out what his plans are. I guess the
insurance company's DIRECTOR is even fed up with the guy and has been trying
to contact him directly!! I don't know how many cases are waiting on his
review, but I'm sure I'm not the only one. I hope his
unprofessional/nonchalant approach to this responsibility isn't a bad omen.
:(
I've got to say - my insurance company has at least been very, very
apologetic that this is taking so long, and they seem sympathetic to my
plight. I don't think they want me to be denied for this surgery. I
believe they would approve it, if it were within their "rights" to do so,
without it going to the medical guy for review. They have been very nice to
me, and very professional, and not at all bothered by my frequent calls.
Hopefully this is a good thing
SO... I'm still playing the waiting game. I MIGHT know something today.
Then again - I might NOT.
Either way - I sure could use everyone's prayers, mantras, white light,
candles, incense, etc.etc.
Good news: GeorgiaBob had her surgery, and is the talk of the surgical floor! She is doing great! A local WLS sis, "Myla", is also on the "other side" and doing great. She had a bit of bleeding a few days after her surgery, but it was easily fixed and she is feeling great.
In other news of interest... SB 212 - the obesity law bill - is being introduced in legislature tomorrow. What a wonderful thing that would be! It would require insurance companies to approve WLS for morbidly obese patients for whom it is deemed medically necessary. Lots of on-line acquaintances are going downtown tomorrow to give testimony and support for the bill. So are the bariatric surgeons. I wish I could go! But, I can't. Gotta save my sick days and vacation for later this year.
January 31, 2000
Well - I am approved!!! :) I found out last week, but I just hadn't had a chance to update this page yet. I don't know yet when the surgery date will be. Vicki, at Dr. Inman's office, will be calling me to schedule. She told me that she is currently scheduling for May... so, looks like it won't be earlier than that!
A member of one of the lists I belong to posted this the other day, and I thought it was really neat - thanks, Staci!
"100 reasons to lose 100 pounds..."
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