Progress

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Where do I go?

So I got over the insurance thing. I had Gestational Diabetes with both girls, lots of joint pain and a slight urinary issue since I've had my last child that may help with the comorbidity thing. I'm sure I'm prediabetic in some fashion and with my sleep disorder...who knows? Maybe sleep apnea can be part of it too.

I got the packet from my husband and the surgeon most recommended is Scottsdale Bariatric Group. However, looking over their stuff has me somewhat depressed. It seems they want you to do everything outside of their office and just give them all the completed paperwork to submit to insurance. I'll be honest. I'm kind of a baby when it comes to this kind of thing. I want someone to hold my hand and tell me everything I need to do. With this place, you have to have your 6 month diet completed (or you can do their program for $750 which to say the least might as well be a million right now) and all your comorbidity testing stuff done before your initial consult. You also already have to have a letter of medical necessity from your pcp. I thought the surgeon's office did most of this stuff?!?! I don't know...it seems with this place, while highly recommended, you're just another number. So I'm in search of another office to look into as well. Thanks to an anonymous post from my local area here in AZ...I'm going to start with WLIAZ and see how we feel about that.

The issue of cost has also come up. Without going into too much detail, my family's financial situation is rocky, at best. This is why it's so important for insurance to cover the surgery. I can handle copays and stuff (as long as it's not due all at once) but these program fees I'm seeing are crazy. The one I looked at last night has a $350 fee just for the initial consultation and another $350 for a psych eval. Another place I looked into last year, True Results, wanted $1000 program fee PER PERSON (my husband is getting the band too) due up front "in case we go through all this and the insurance doesn't give approval." I'm sorry but that's a lot of money for us and we just don't have that kind of cash.

I've decided to start the 6 month diet with my pcp because that's probably cheaper and that way I'm not wasting any more time than I have to. And if he wants to write a letter of medical necessity for me too (and he better), then that'd be great but no rush on that since I've got six months since I need to submit to the insurance anyway.

So that's where I'm at with everything. Got some researchin' to do today. Special thanks to Dash for following along with my blog! I've been checking yours out..I think I'm up to May. LOL. You're doing fantastic!

5 comments:

THE DASH! said...

Thanks for the mention :) Always cool to see our name up in lights!
Sounds like you have a fair bit of time yet before you need to make any hard and fast rules.. so thats something (and yet annoying.. bet you just want it done!!) Happy researching.
Cara

Catherine55 said...

Manda, you can do it! Just make a checklist of all of the requirements for yourself, then get 'em done. The next six months are going to pass by in a flash, and when they do, you're going to want to have all of your ducks in a row!

Be sure to run your checklist by the insurance people and your doctor -- you don't want to leave anything off the list. It will be SO WORTH THE EFFORT, and you and DH will be able to pat yourselves on the back for being so proactive and for taking charge of this process and making it happen!

Catherine

Anonymous said...

I agree, 6 months will fly by and you will be glad you took all the necessary and required steps for you surgery. You won't regret it. Have you chosen a doctor yet? If you have any questions about WLIAZ feel free to email me, I did a lot of research before my surgery and know of other doctors in the valley that are high on my list of recommendations. Pandagirl65@gmail.com

MandaPanda said...

Thanks so much for your support! Set an initial consultation with Dr. Simpson at Arizona Bariatric Center - hearing great things about him!

Anonymous said...

so...what did you think of dr simpson?? i went to his consultation and well...idk he was ok but not overly impressive!! nor was i with WLIAZ! i am going to check out flag. the second tuesday of december..let me know what you think! kayceedowning@yahoo.com