Linda F.

Send Message

Block

Add Friend

OK - I have been forcing myself to not become obsessed with this sight and with this blog - mainly because it will consume me and also so I minimize the heartbreak should I not be approved for this revision.  I read Cigna's requirements for a revision and I need to meet with the Dr. again to discuss the requirements before he writes the letter to the insurance company.  I'm kinda freaked out about that.  Tomorrow I am having an EGD for the Dr. to send a scope down my throat - I guess to take a "look-see" and perhaps some measurements.  I finally got the U of Chicago to send medical records down to Dr. Overcash - I think that I'll call today to see if they received them.  OK - I guess that' s all for now.

Uggghhhh!  I just can't believe in this day and age of good workers losing their jobs, that doctor's offices continue to employ substandard help!  Well, I called the EGD doctor at 9:17 am - figuring that I could schedule my EGD appointment before my 10:00 client came in.  Well, they answered the phone on the 2nd or 3rd ring - I asked for "Nicole" and the girl on the other end said, "sure, just a moment".......well, that "moment" lasted 23 minutes and 13 seconds before "Nicole" picked up the call.  Why don't people get back on the phone and let you know that it will be a minute longer and give you the option of calling back or leaving a message???  IDIOTS!  Needless to say, I made an appointment for tomorrow.  After talking to my assistant about it, so we could adjust my work schedule, she asked if I needed to fast tomorrow before I get there, or if I would need to be driven up there (about a 2 hour each way trip) because I may not be feeling well enough to drive home after they stick a scope down my throat and into my stomach.  Hmmmm....I didn't  think of that.  So I called back and asked about it, and they said that I was only on the books for a consult and not an actual procedure.  What the *&#$#!*?  I told her that I thought I was clear about the referral and what I needed done....and she said, "our doctors don't just do procedures without a consult first to find out what your symptoms are."  And then she said, "What are your symptoms, anyway?"  If I could reach through that phone, I would have choked her.  So, after taking a deep breath, I said (as calmly as I possibly could), I am not having any symptoms.....I am being evaluated for a RNY Revision.... 
THEN
I called the University of Chicago Hospital Medical Records department to confirm that they received my request for my op reports.....that I faxed over 3 times last week.  And the guy on the other end said, I don't see it in the system....would you mind faxing it over again?  Are you F$%king Kidding me??  He also suggested that I call back tomorrow to check their system.  So as you can see, I am getting NO WHERE with this process.  I am so ready to give up...so I go to the before and after picture and it inspires me to keep chugging along.

So, I got a call from the EDG doctor last night on my home answering machine.  I callled at about 9:30 this morning...only to find out that they couldn't find my chart so they couldn't make an appointment.  "Tara" took my cell number and told me that she'd call me right back.  I made sure that I told her to call my cell an d not my home phone.  She said no problem.  When I didn't hear "right back" from her, I called her at about 1:30 - and she told me that she was still looking for me chart.  Seems strange that they would lose a chart that was less than 24 hours old.  Anyway - I got busy and didn't get a chance to call back before I left work.  SO - I get home and there is yet another call from their freakin' office, this time "Nicole" for me to call them.  Very efficient office!  Ugghhhh!  So frustrating - so now I have to wait until next week to make an appointment - and I have to try to keep my work schedule free until I make the appointment ASAP.  Ughhh!  I think retarded people work there - and it's delaying my process of getting the information I need in order to submit to the insurance company.  Uggghhh!

Faxed over yet another request for medical records from the University of Chicago Hospitals today - apparently they can't find my original request.  They said that it takes about 15 working days for them to get the records out.  Eeeeks - it's killing me because Dr. Overcash can't do anything until he gets the op report from my original RNY (1997).  I also spent some time on the Insurance board here - and it looks like Cigna could take anywhere from 1 week to 14 weeks.  Another Eeeeks!  I turn 40 on July 3 - so my goal is to have my revision before then - so I can have a new "birthday" before my 40th birthday!

So my journey begins.  I drove 90 miles for an appointment with Dr. Overcash in Ocala, FL.  We discussed my options and what he thought was best for me and my situation.  Now it's a matter of getting the insurance to cover it.  I actually weighed in at 250 today.  Which makes my BMI 47.  Hopefully that will be enough for Cigna to approve my revision.  Keep your fingers crossed.  Now I am waiting for an appointment for a Upper GI - and for my origianl op-report to be sent from the University of Chicago Hospitals.