4/16/07
So far I’ve had two disappointments in my process:

Shocker #1
I waited patiently for a little more than a week, then I called about a week ago to find out if there was anything else I needed to be doing and to find out what needed to happen to get referrals for the required upper gi with biopsy and abdominal ultrasound that the surgeon recommended.

To my surprise, my care coordinator told me the nurse had not finished filling out the necessary paperwork so that the letter could be sent to my doctor asking for the referrals. She said she would make sure it got finished; Fortunately, though she said since I was in the Cedar-Sinai network that she could request the referrals. Since I know (or hoped) that would speed up the process, I requested that she do so.

I’ve read over and over again on obesityhelp.com about how you have to ride health care professionals like Zorro to get them to do things they’re supposed to. It’s their job. I didn’t think it would happen to me but, sure enough, it did!

I got the bill from the surgeon’s office for my consult, psych eval and dietician visit and it was $193.60. No biggie, I thought.

Whammy #2
Today I got a letter from Blue Cross saying I need to pay the $193.60 for the consult because it was not a covered benefit.

What the HELL!!!!

Why would they give me a referral for a surgeon’s consult if I would have to pay for it?? This must be a mistake. Why would I need a referral from them for something I would have to pay for??? Where’s the humanity?! *sigh*

Ok, I’m relatively calm now. You can be sure I’ll be on the phone with Blue Cross tomorrow. God, if I have to pay for that consult (it’s not huge, but it’s not small either.), that could mean a delay in the whole process. It would take me two paychecks to cover that amount. *sigh*