snfrazier
My update of life
Apr 20, 2009
OK. It has been forever since I have been on the board. On Father's day of 2007 I found out I was pregnant SO I had to put on hold my weightloss endeavours. BUT Now I am back to accomplish what I started. Especially now that I have been blessed with my new baby girl Miss Kaitlyn Nicole. She definitely reminds me of where I am at weight wise & I am miserable. SO I am venturing back into the world of wait & see.
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Second Round of Pre-Testing
Jan 30, 2007
OK......I received the letter from Dr Alexander's office in the mail & became officially sad & happy at the same time. Any time that I am making progress in the direction of finally gaining my physical freedom, I am excited & happy about it. BUT reading that letter reminded me of how much my life can be eliminated because of my weight. Numbers & Stats do not lie & that letter lets me know that I am in serious trouble if I dont get this surgery. That is why I said it was a sad & happy moment for me.
I called BCBS on today & was advised that they havent received the letter from Dr Alexander's office SO I called Ann from Dr A's office & she assured me that she will forward that information to them again. I thought to myself that I will fax them a copy of my letter also as a back up. She also confirmed that they FINALLY received the insurance information from BCBS for my preliminary testing. HOORAY! I am scheduled for February 7th (she initially had me scheduled for January 31st but I couldnt get the time off from work at such late notice). Hopefully my best friend can take me to the hospital to get the ball rolling on that day.
I will give you an update at a later time regarding my insight with BCBSofIL, pretesting & Dr A's office. Talk 2 u then!
I called BCBS on today & was advised that they havent received the letter from Dr Alexander's office SO I called Ann from Dr A's office & she assured me that she will forward that information to them again. I thought to myself that I will fax them a copy of my letter also as a back up. She also confirmed that they FINALLY received the insurance information from BCBS for my preliminary testing. HOORAY! I am scheduled for February 7th (she initially had me scheduled for January 31st but I couldnt get the time off from work at such late notice). Hopefully my best friend can take me to the hospital to get the ball rolling on that day.
I will give you an update at a later time regarding my insight with BCBSofIL, pretesting & Dr A's office. Talk 2 u then!
Pre-Test Nightmare
Jan 25, 2007
OK. I knew that it was too good to be true for this to be running so smoothly. I get a phone call the day before I am scheduled to go in for my pre-testing stating that BlueCross & BlueShield of IL hasnt verified my explanation of benefits (which is to determine if I need to meet a deductible/co-pays/% of coverage etc).
Pine Creek Medical Center staff was nice but not very detailed on what they specifically needed from BCBSIL so I did some phone tag between the two. After getting a clear explanation - I was advised by BCBSIL that they would need to contac the Provider Hotline to get the information. Then I called Pine Creek & left a voicemail message advising of this fact since I was transferred from the receptionist to voicemail only. I was advised by the receptionist that someone would call me back to determine whether or not I could fulfill my appointment without the verification. I replied with a calm yes AND I waited.
Then I get a call from Dr. Alexander's office to schedule my stress & psych test since they administer it so I am assuming that everything is all & well BUT then Ann (insurance coordinator for Dr Alexander) calls me to let me know that they still didnt receive the information so they more than likely will have to re-schedule but PineCreek will call me back with more information. No callback from PineCreek. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED but not down and out.
After I left work & returned home, I called PineCreek since they are open until 8pm & the receptionist transfered me to the pre-certification department where someone pulled my file & confirmed to me that they will have to reschedule because BCBSIL advised that they are transferring to a new system & doesnt have access to my information. I am thinking to myself, why didnt they just say that in the first place. OHMYGOODNESS! She advised for me to call PineCreek back & reschedule my appointment in the morning.
The next day I called PineCreek to re-schedule, met with voicemail - no callback. I am still waiting to re-schedule until they receive the information from BCBSIL.
Not a very good start with PineCreek but I am holding onto faith.
Pine Creek Medical Center staff was nice but not very detailed on what they specifically needed from BCBSIL so I did some phone tag between the two. After getting a clear explanation - I was advised by BCBSIL that they would need to contac the Provider Hotline to get the information. Then I called Pine Creek & left a voicemail message advising of this fact since I was transferred from the receptionist to voicemail only. I was advised by the receptionist that someone would call me back to determine whether or not I could fulfill my appointment without the verification. I replied with a calm yes AND I waited.
Then I get a call from Dr. Alexander's office to schedule my stress & psych test since they administer it so I am assuming that everything is all & well BUT then Ann (insurance coordinator for Dr Alexander) calls me to let me know that they still didnt receive the information so they more than likely will have to re-schedule but PineCreek will call me back with more information. No callback from PineCreek. I WAS SO DISAPPOINTED but not down and out.
After I left work & returned home, I called PineCreek since they are open until 8pm & the receptionist transfered me to the pre-certification department where someone pulled my file & confirmed to me that they will have to reschedule because BCBSIL advised that they are transferring to a new system & doesnt have access to my information. I am thinking to myself, why didnt they just say that in the first place. OHMYGOODNESS! She advised for me to call PineCreek back & reschedule my appointment in the morning.
The next day I called PineCreek to re-schedule, met with voicemail - no callback. I am still waiting to re-schedule until they receive the information from BCBSIL.
Not a very good start with PineCreek but I am holding onto faith.
First Consult with Dr. Alexander
Jan 18, 2007
OK. It was on Tuesday, January 16th. After much excitement for this first step - it actually went by very fast. My friend Latonia who had him as her doctor stated that the first visit is a long wait - so I was expecting a hour wait at least - so I was prepared with my 2 magazines & book. BUT after filling out the initial paperwork & previewing the before & after book of previous patients. I was meeting Dr. Alexander in the flesh within less than 30 minutes - not bad for a first try.
After much discussion & consultation with the doctor and some hard facts about my weight & health risks that I was already beginning to experience with high blood pressure - we BOTH agreed that I was a prime candidate for the surgery. I felt so OPTIMISTIC for this next step in my life. I have waited for so long and it is finally here. I am stepping out on faith.
After speaking with Ann who is the insurance coordinator for Dr Alexander's office. She gave me the information & advised that the additional fee to Dr Alexander will be $3000 which in exchange for this lifestyle change - it is worth every penny in my eyes (and my family agreed). It will be due one week prior to my surgery date.
We scheduled my preliminary testing for next week - which is on Wednesday January 24th for the stomach test, psychological exam & stress test with Pine Creek Medical Center.
I am a little nervous but excited at the same time. It is really happening!
After much discussion & consultation with the doctor and some hard facts about my weight & health risks that I was already beginning to experience with high blood pressure - we BOTH agreed that I was a prime candidate for the surgery. I felt so OPTIMISTIC for this next step in my life. I have waited for so long and it is finally here. I am stepping out on faith.
After speaking with Ann who is the insurance coordinator for Dr Alexander's office. She gave me the information & advised that the additional fee to Dr Alexander will be $3000 which in exchange for this lifestyle change - it is worth every penny in my eyes (and my family agreed). It will be due one week prior to my surgery date.
We scheduled my preliminary testing for next week - which is on Wednesday January 24th for the stomach test, psychological exam & stress test with Pine Creek Medical Center.
I am a little nervous but excited at the same time. It is really happening!
About Me
TX
Location
Jan 11, 2007
Member Since
