Appreciative of the input
Hi all,
I have written once before and visit daily to see anything new that may be
out there in regards to ideas. My name is Annette and I am still awaiting
approval from Kaiser for my surgery. It sure would be helpful if anyone else
out there was a Kaiser patient and could give me an idea of how long they waited
for approval.
I hope they do something soon or at least contact me in regards to what
else I need to do to get approval. I have dieted all my life and have only
gained more weight with each failed attempt. I am 6′ 2" tall and weigh 395. I
carry my weight well but feel the effects on my joints more and more each day.
2 knee surgeries in the last 8 months after falls on the job and it is taking me
forever to recuperate. I also have a BMI of 51, diabetes, kidney disease, skin
problems, high blood pressure and feel 89 instead of 39.
It sure helps to hear your stories and know that I have made the right
decision. I am scared but in a good way.
Here’s to continued success for all and any prayers you could send my way
would be greatly appreciated.
Annette
Pre-approval
395
April 28th, 2006 at 4:09 pm
Annette, I don’t have Kaiser, so I’m not much help, but am wondering if you
have a customer service number from Kaiser where you could call and ask
where they are in the process. It’s not uncommon for packets to get sent to
wrong offices, even faxed to wrong numbers. It always helps to be a little
proactive.
Pam in Niceville (who is in Chicago today!)
—– Original Message —–
From: Annette Battistone
To: Support group
Sent: Friday, August 29, 2003 10:34 PM
Subject: [Obesity Surgery Support Group] Appreciative of the input
Hi all,
I have written once before and visit daily to see anything new that may
be out there in regards to ideas. My name is Annette and I am still
awaiting approval from Kaiser for my surgery. It sure would be helpful if
anyone else out there was a Kaiser patient and could give me an idea of how
long they waited for approval.
I hope they do something soon or at least contact me in regards to what
else I need to do to get approval. I have dieted all my life and have only
gained more weight with each failed attempt. I am 6′ 2" tall and weigh 395.
I carry my weight well but feel the effects on my joints more and more each
day. 2 knee surgeries in the last 8 months after falls on the job and it is
taking me forever to recuperate. I also have a BMI of 51, diabetes, kidney
disease, skin problems, high blood pressure and feel 89 instead of 39.
It sure helps to hear your stories and know that I have made the right
decision. I am scared but in a good way.
Here’s to continued success for all and any prayers you could send my
way would be greatly appreciated.
Annette
Pre-approval
395
April 28th, 2006 at 8:36 pm
Pam,
Thank you for your input. I never thought about Customer Service, so I
will give them a try after the Holiday Weekend. Thank you so much. Here’s to
health.
Annette
Hi all,
I have written once before and visit daily to see anything new that may
be out there in regards to ideas. My name is Annette and I am still
awaiting approval from Kaiser for my surgery. It sure would be helpful if
anyone else out there was a Kaiser patient and could give me an idea of how
long they waited for approval.
I hope they do something soon or at least contact me in regards to what
else I need to do to get approval. I have dieted all my life and have only
gained more weight with each failed attempt. I am 6′ 2" tall and weigh 395.
I carry my weight well but feel the effects on my joints more and more each
day. 2 knee surgeries in the last 8 months after falls on the job and it is
taking me forever to recuperate. I also have a BMI of 51, diabetes, kidney
disease, skin problems, high blood pressure and feel 89 instead of 39.
It sure helps to hear your stories and know that I have made the right
decision. I am scared but in a good way.
Here’s to continued success for all and any prayers you could send my
way would be greatly appreciated.
Annette
Pre-approval
395
April 29th, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Hi Annette. Hang in there. I dont have Kaiser, but I
was so determined to get approved, I did a couple of
things. First, my PCP was with me every step of the
way. He was consulted with the surgeon and was
prepared to write a letter to the ins. co. Secondly, I
had nine procedures on my knee and I have two more to
go. The specialist had written to the ins. co. and
had recommended bypass surgery as well. Get as many
of you doctor to back the bypass surgeon’s case.
Another thing that I did was to see two differnt
bypass surgeons and they both sent in pre-approvals.
One was rejected and the other was accepted. Ins.
covered both visits, so I only paid an extra co-pay.
I also called customer svc. and they gave me a case
worker, who tracked the approval letters. Ten days
after our initial conversation, she sent me a letter
to tell me she had not seen the letters. My doctors
faxed her the letter and myself a copy. I hope this
helps. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
April 29th, 2006 at 11:20 pm
Thank you so much for your input Darcel. Every little bit helps. I do have a
letter from my Orthopedic Surgeon that I am going to send this week and I
already am in touch with this great woman in Customer Service. I am praying. I
can’t imagine not getting approved now, I am just so geared up for this. I have
tried everything I even played Softball actively 5 days a week until a broken
back at work threw a wrench in that.
I eat 1500-1800 calories a day and lose 8 pounds in 9 months. That’s when I
walk as daily exercise. So, I have tried everything else. This is my last
chance to get a tool to assist me in my goals. I really appreciate the support
from everyone in the group.
Thank you again.
Annette
pre-approval
393/
May 3rd, 2006 at 6:41 am
Hi Annette,
I have just be approved for surgery at Kaiser. Here is how it went
for me:
June 10: Initial appoitment with PCP for referral
August 5: Obesity Surgery Class with Dietician and Psychologist
Sept 3: Received approval letter
Now it is just a matter of waiting for my information about pre-op
visits and I think I also have to attend a class at the Kaiser where
my surgery will be done.
I hope that some of the helps. Just in case it matters, I am
located in Northern California.
Good luck and please feel free to email me directly if you need more
information.
~Gina.
May 4th, 2006 at 4:55 am
Gina,
Thank you so much for the input. I have had to follow up with my PCP but I
am now on the right track. Nutrition consult, psych clearance, uric acid test
and list of diet attempts/failures and then I will have approval. Thank
goodness I have had the same PCP for 15 years and she can vouch for all of my
many diet attempts. I have been dieting for 20 years and have gained 200
pounds… what’s up with that? LOL. I can’t wait until I reach the point wher
I am waiting for the surgery date to come. Again thanks for the info.
Annette
I have just be approved for surgery at Kaiser. Here is how it went
for me:
June 10: Initial appoitment with PCP for referral
August 5: Obesity Surgery Class with Dietician and Psychologist
Sept 3: Received approval letter
Now it is just a matter of waiting for my information about pre-op
visits and I think I also have to attend a class at the Kaiser where
my surgery will be done.
I hope that some of the helps. Just in case it matters, I am
located in Northern California.
Good luck and please feel free to email me directly if you need more
information.
~Gina.