Question:
Helping with Approval

I just had my first consultation on July 12, 2002 at BTC in Schaumburg. My question is...although I know that BTC will fight to get my surgery approved should I be doing something as well. I've heard alot about the psych evaluation, the consultation with the dietician, etc. Should I be taking care of things before I have find out if I've been approved? Also, I've read a couple of example letters you can write to your Insurance Company to help with approval. Should I be writing these letters even though BTC may have not sent my Insurance Company anything yet? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.    — Janet H. (posted on July 15, 2002)

July 15, 2002
During my initial consult, my surgeon advised that the first step was to get insurance approval. Once that was recieved, the surgeon sent a letter to me with instructions for contacting the nutrutionist, psychologist and PCP for pre-op testing. It was a waiting game until the approval was received. It seems like the procedures are different with each surgeon. If I were you, I'd call the surgeon's office to find out what to do. Best of luck to you!
   — Kathy M.

July 15, 2002
Oh, I'd also call the insurance company to see if I should do anything. Insurance carriers are also very different. I started with the insurance company. They told me I needed a letter of medical necessity from my PCP to start things off.
   — Kathy M.