How long does it take for OS to set a surgery date?

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I've been reading through the posts a lot ever since I got braces a

few weeks ago. Congratulations to all who have made it to post-op

status thus far. It's amazing to read everyone's stories on this

site...

Anyway, after " opening a can of whoop-ass " with the managers of

different departments at Anthem BCBS, I finally got them to issue the

proper letters that my OS needs in order to move forward with

surgery. The first is an approval of medical necessity letter, and

the second is a letter stating that I'm covered for the various

surgical codes that my OS listed in his predetermination letter.

My question is this: how does one get precertified for the procedure

and hospital stay? Anthem BCBS is telling me that all my surgeon

needs to do is call in with my surgery date. But my surgeon's office

is telling me that I need a letter from Anthem that pre-certifies

both the procedure and the hospital stay. Help!

For all others that have been through this process, please let me

know if this all sounds right. I'm kind of frustrated that my OS

isn't letting Anthem and me know of a surgery date! I really feel

like I'm in some sort of holding pen. All I want is to get this over

and done with before schools start up in September.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have.

MTB