Question:
Does the surgeon's office typically send a copy of the letter to you the patient?
I read in a different Q&A, to not assume that the surgeon sent off his letter to the insurance company until you have received a copy of that letter yourself. Is that really true? And is it also true that some surgeon's office's have such backload, they wait a month or so to even send it out? I was told by my surgeon's assistant that it will take 4-6 weeks to hear from the insurance. 'They take a long time', she said. I have a ways to go yet, so I don't want to call her. But was curious on what I should 'expect'. Thanks everyone, Annie — Annie R. (posted on May 9, 2001)
May 8, 2001
I was told it would take 4-6 weeks for approval as well. What I later
found out was that the first documentation sent to my insurance from the
surgeons office was a generic letter with my data sheet. The insurance
company then sent a letter to the surgeon and copied to me that they needed
a letter of necessity. That same week, the surgeons office sent me a copy
of the letter that they had completed and mailed RECENTLY. I couldn't
believe it! I was beginning to really get worried about my insurance
approval when all along, the actual "letter" hadn't been
submitted. I called my insurance company direct. From the time they
received my medical records and the surgeon's letter, the actual approval
took approximately 5 days. My suggestion would be to stay in contact with
your insurance company to see if they have received all needed
documentation. Hang in there. I know it is very stressful waiting on an
approval. It was agony for me but if it is meant to happen, it will! Stay
vigilant and informed. I know the surgeon's offices get really backed up
with insurance red tape. It is a shame that because so many people don't
pay their medical bills that we ALL get punished and that with all of the
documentation of obesity that there are still insurance companys out there
that question and deny treatemtn.
— Margaret B.
May 8, 2001
There can be tremendous variation even with the same surgeon. When I had
my surgery done, my consult was on 3/8/00, letter sent to insurance on 3/24
(with a copy to me), and approval from insurance on 3/27. A year later, my
husband is using the same surgeon and had his consult on 3/8/01, letter
faxed to insurance on 4/18 (no copy), insurance said they didn't receive it
so we faxed again on 4/26. As of 5/8, it is still pending. - Kate -
— kateseidel
May 8, 2001
Read my profile, my surgeon said 4-6 weeks before I would hear from the
insurance co. That was the end of last October and it took me until March,
and that was after a lot of phone calls. Don't assume anything. BUT above
all be POLITE> as hard as it may get. Customer service at the insurance
co are people too. ( AT LEAST ONE OF THEM WAS)
— Sue H.
May 9, 2001
I had my consult on April 27, 2001, received a copy of the letter May 7 and
I was approved on May 8th. Surgery is June 18th. I called the surgeons
office when I got the letter and was advised that they would submit to my
medical group that day. If you are going through your medical group, they
are the ones to approve, not your insurance company. Best of Luck.
— Cheryl C.
May 9, 2001
I called my insurance company 4 weeks after my initial consult and was told
repeatedly they had not received info. So I started the pre-cert myself.
The Nurses then called my Surgeons office for me and got the ball rolling.
I think it helped to put a little fire under his rear end but in a nice
way. A little persistence never hurts and it was less than a week before
the received the info they needed.
— kristen H.
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