Here's my timeline of my journey to approval and then when I started my pre-op diet.The process has gone rather smoothly. I had my moments were I was completely losing my patience...this would lead to a meltdown in one form or another! lol Crying, eating way too much because I thought I had the right to since I wasn't getting the answer fast enough. My goodness, I'm so glad this isn't going to take 6 months...I'd be a major pain in the butt! Ha!
END OF APRIL 2011:
I called UHC before finding my doctor to see what they would cover if anything but they could not tell me anything ... just that everything they consider is based on that individual and their coverage. They do not have a set standard for everyone across the board. This was really nerve racking because of course, I wanted an answer right then.
MAY 4, 2011
My husband and I attended the seminar.
MAY 11, 2011
I had my first appointment with my doc. Now, I had to sign something giving my permission for my other doctors to send records over. My thoughts were that they were having to gather all my past medical history and everything to send to the insurance company so it might take a little while.
MAY 24, 2011
I called my doc's office to find out if they'd heard anything because the insurance co. has 30 days to make a decision. I was told that they sent my case to UHC on MAY 18, 2011 and that usually if UHC had any request they would have heard back from them within 48 hours. I asked if they had any trouble with getting my medical records and was told that they never requested them...that they would only request them if UHC asked for them. Wow, i was really surprised by that. The doc's office seemed to think that this was a good sign.
MAY 27, 2011
The doc's office called and said I was approved and UHC required nothing from me. I couldn't believe it.
I don't know how they decide but if it matters, I am 5'5" and was 280 when I was weighed at the doc's office. My BMI was 46.6. Also, I'm not taking any meds for health problems although I have slightly high cholesterol and blood pressure...I was always told to watch what I eat to control both. Then in the last couple of months my blood sugar levels have been a little high and I'm actually waiting for results from in-depth blood work done last week to see if I'm diabetic. (NOTE: Just got a call today and I'm in the clear...no diabetes! What an awesome blessing!) Also, had my back out last year and was almost completely bed ridden for a month. All of this the doctor said he would put in my case because the insuance co wanted a good reason or two to have this surgery done besides the fact that I wanted to lose weight. I really don't know what was the big decider for UHC.
MAY 31, 2011
I started my pre-op diet.
FUTURE HAPPENINGS:
June 8, 2011: Pre-op class
June 23, 2011: Surgery
I'm happy for you that this is all moving so quickly. I've been chasing surgery for a year and it looks like it will FINALLY happen in the next month or two. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Lee Ann! Thank you! I know, everything moved soooo fast! I feel like my head is spinning. I'm sure if I had to sit around and think about this too much longer, I may have talked myself out of it. You're really brave "chasing this surgery" because it can be so scary to think about it day in and day out. I really hope your surgery comes soon. Please keep me updated.
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