Re: I have a question please!

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathy,

I am not sure what you are SUPPOSED to say.. but when I called, I just

said that my doctor had sent in a letter requesting prior approval for

surgery, and I wanted to verify that they had received it, and would like to

know what the status of it was if they had received it. Luckily, they had

received it, and they just asked me who the request was coming from, and I

said Dr. Rutledge in NC. That was all they asked, and that was all I told

them. I didn't want to give them too much info right off the bat and have

her tell me I was not going to be approved, either. The fear of not being

approved is more scary to me that the surgery itself I think. Now that I

have made the decision and I know in my heart this is what I need to do, I

have very little fear of the surgery. Good luck, and keep us posted!

Deb in IL

P.S. My sister in law is trying to have this surgery at the same time as I

have it, and Dr. R's office sent the letters to our insurance companies the

same day. My BCBS received it the same day, but she had to send hers to her

company one day last week, because they said they didn't receive it. Well,

she called this morning to make sure they got it, and she is already

approved!! I wish I had her company! I'm on my way right now for the psych

evaluation mine wants... jumping through hoops!

[Guest guest]

Hi Cathy,

I am not sure what you are SUPPOSED to say.. but when I called, I just

said that my doctor had sent in a letter requesting prior approval for

surgery, and I wanted to verify that they had received it, and would like to

know what the status of it was if they had received it. Luckily, they had

received it, and they just asked me who the request was coming from, and I

said Dr. Rutledge in NC. That was all they asked, and that was all I told

them. I didn't want to give them too much info right off the bat and have

her tell me I was not going to be approved, either. The fear of not being

approved is more scary to me that the surgery itself I think. Now that I

have made the decision and I know in my heart this is what I need to do, I

have very little fear of the surgery. Good luck, and keep us posted!

Deb in IL

P.S. My sister in law is trying to have this surgery at the same time as I

have it, and Dr. R's office sent the letters to our insurance companies the

same day. My BCBS received it the same day, but she had to send hers to her

company one day last week, because they said they didn't receive it. Well,

she called this morning to make sure they got it, and she is already

approved!! I wish I had her company! I'm on my way right now for the psych

evaluation mine wants... jumping through hoops!

[Guest guest]

Don't worry. Take a deep breath. I have United Healthcare, too, and they

were very nice to me. Give them a call. Track EVERYTHING - who you speak

to, what they say, date and time. You'll probably have to talk to several

different people before you get the right information. The person who

answers the phone can tell you if they have any information from Dr. R's

office. Mine had gone to the wrong place, and had to be tracked down.

Don't worry, they were very sweet, and customer oriented. They told me what

to do next.

Let me know how it goes!

Amy.

_____________________________________________

Amy S. Poe

MGB 5/22/2000 *I made it!*

280/259/140

United Healthcare Select Plus POS approved

I have a question please!

I got an email from Debbie today telling me that I needed to call United

Healthcare to see if they even received the paperwork that Dr. R sent in and

if not to verify the fax number and address with them. The verification is

no

problem, what I'm wondering is exactly what do I ask them? Do I just ask if

they received the preapproval from Dr. R.? Do I tell them it's for obesity

surgery if they ask? or should I just say abdominal so they can't

immediately

start saying that its not covered? I have always been a very straight

forward

person who pretty much says what I think as long as its not hurtful to

anyone, I can get rid of salesman in 2 seconds, but for this I feel like a

little kid wishing someone would just do it for me. LOL LOL I guess the fear

of being told no is getting to me. Can someone Pleaseeeeee tell me exactly

what I'm supposed to ask?

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

Wanting to be on the other side

BMI 42

Patient info emailed 5/2/00

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[Guest guest]

<<

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

Wanting to be on the other side

BMI 42 >>

Hi, this is Cathy ______; I have a quick question about my health care

approval process. I'm checking to see whether my doctor's pre-approval

packet has arrived at your office. Can you check for me? (They may request

your Social Security # to get the ball rolling. As you supply whatever they

need to check for your packet's arrival, gently ask who you're speaking

with...what office that person is in.) If they have the packet...you're set!

The next question is about how you reach that person again directly to

follow your packet's progress through pre-approval.... " You've been very

helpful and I appreciate it; this is ______, right? I was transferred

several times before finding you, what number do I dial to reach you

directly? "

If your packet has NOT arrived/they claim they can't find it...then

follow Plan B.

" Gee, that's disheartening to hear. I'd like to have the doctor re-send

the packet. Can you please tell me the correct mailing address and the

person to whom it should be directed? ((Make sure you get a street address,

not a Post Office Box.)) Would you like that sent by UPS, Federal Express

or Certified Mail? Which carrier do you have the best luck with? " ((If they

want it FAXed, ask them for the correct FAX number AND the name of the

person to whom the FAX should be directed.))

Smile a lot while you talk; keep your sense of humor. Remember your

mission: this person can be an ally for your pre-approval process. You

want this person in your corner.

Go get 'em, woman! Dee in MI (MGB 16 Dec 99)

[Guest guest]

<<

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

Wanting to be on the other side

BMI 42 >>

Hi, this is Cathy ______; I have a quick question about my health care

approval process. I'm checking to see whether my doctor's pre-approval

packet has arrived at your office. Can you check for me? (They may request

your Social Security # to get the ball rolling. As you supply whatever they

need to check for your packet's arrival, gently ask who you're speaking

with...what office that person is in.) If they have the packet...you're set!

The next question is about how you reach that person again directly to

follow your packet's progress through pre-approval.... " You've been very

helpful and I appreciate it; this is ______, right? I was transferred

several times before finding you, what number do I dial to reach you

directly? "

If your packet has NOT arrived/they claim they can't find it...then

follow Plan B.

" Gee, that's disheartening to hear. I'd like to have the doctor re-send

the packet. Can you please tell me the correct mailing address and the

person to whom it should be directed? ((Make sure you get a street address,

not a Post Office Box.)) Would you like that sent by UPS, Federal Express

or Certified Mail? Which carrier do you have the best luck with? " ((If they

want it FAXed, ask them for the correct FAX number AND the name of the

person to whom the FAX should be directed.))

Smile a lot while you talk; keep your sense of humor. Remember your

mission: this person can be an ally for your pre-approval process. You

want this person in your corner.

Go get 'em, woman! Dee in MI (MGB 16 Dec 99)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 06/19/2000 12:32:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

CMo6331945@... writes:

<< Can someone Pleaseeeeee tell me exactly

what I'm supposed to ask?

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

Wanting to be on the other side

BMI 42

Patient info emailed 5/2/00

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step >>

Hi Cathy,

I have PHP with United and was denied, but dont get discouraged cause

everyones policy is different. I am praying like mad for ya. They gave me

the wrong fax # and they had to send my forms by mail. I even verified the

fax# with them twice!!! How aggravating! I would just call and ask if they

received the information from dr. Rutledge?? Good luck hun! Are you planning

a date??? I am planning on Clinic the 25th and dancing on the 26th!! Wish me

luck, my Dr. is turning into a real JERK, I will change after the surgery!!

~~~~HUGS~~~~~ margie SC

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/19/2000 8:41:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

MCypher31@... writes:

<< I am planning on Clinic the 25th and dancing on the 26th!! Wish me

luck, my Dr. is turning into a real JERK, I will change after the surgery!!

~~~~HUGS~~~~~ margie SC >>

I do wish you luck and many prayers!!! I've not even thought of a surgery

date yet cause my PCP has tests he wants me to take (stress test, new

bloodwork ,ekg etc.) and he won't do them until my insurance approves. he

thinks its a waste if not approved because the only reason he's doing them is

to make sure that I can physically survive the surgery.

Cathy in Lenoir, NC

Wanting to be on the other side

BMI 42

Patient info emailed 5/2/00

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step