TAH: TAH/SBO 7/19 - Insurance approved 2 days - whaaaaat?

Hi from Philly burbs!! I'm having my TAH/BSO on Monday. This has all happened very fast and unexpectedly as I've been symptom free and had really no idea about the trouble on the inside until three weeks ago.
(Bilat. cystic masses, (8cm and 7cm) adhered together behind tilted uterus)

Anyway...I got a letter from my insurance company today that they are "PLEASED" to inform me (really?) that "based on the information received the below requests have been approved. (the surgery) - "Initial approval is for 2 days".

Whaaat? I was told 4 days (barring complications) by the MD.

Is this standard procedure for Insurance companies or should I be making phone calls to straighten this out. I have so much to accomplish before Monday that tackling insurance issues makes me want to run far far away.

Anyone have insight on this? Thanks so much! - Susan

Try not of panic. It's quite common for insurance companies to approve less time than your doctor tells you. If you need additional time in the hospital, your doctor will be able to make the necessary arrangements with your insurance and it's usually no problem. It you have any questions, you can call your doctors office for clarification.

Hang in there!



Deb

I stayed only 2 nights. If I had needed more my doc would have gotten the approval. I feel sure you doc can do the same.

thankfully they approved it. Mine always delays things.

They try to pay for as little as possible if your dr thinks you should be in longer he or she will write medical necessity to do so!

Try not to panic like the others have suggested. My doctor told me I would have a 2- 3 day stay unless I needed more. The doctor can request you to stay more if needed. Do not let this add stress to you.

Thanks everyone for your knowledgeable replies! My mind is at ease now regarding that letter!

First - Best wishes for Monday - thoughts will be with you!!

Next - relax... I am going through this very quickly as well.. Was fine---or so I thought util last month when I could no longer write strange period off to school...kids...being tired and the opted to actually tell the gyn(6/30)what was up... heading for a TLH with LSO on 7/28... would have been next week but the 2 surgeons couldnt coordinate till then... Have faith all will be fine.. thats what I keep telling myself.

Finally... Insurance is a wild thing... dealt with it for a year when I had a knee replaced and 2 hip scopes to deal with impingement issues...Talked with the dr.s nurse today and my insurance co precertified for 2 dyas as well...even though its a laparascopic procedure - I live in Alaska and we have some location issues so the 2 days is reasonable...BUT she was very clear that if they have to change to abdominal the insurance co will cover additional days..all the dr office has to do is call... So I am sure if you need more time you will get the time to heal!

Good Luck on Monday!!

Trust me, in 2 days you will be ready to go home if you can. Insurance approved me up to 3 days. I had to stay all 3 days because my surgery was a little more intense than we expected and I got absolutely NO rest. It was exhausting. The nurses were in my room every hour taking temp, blood pressure, checking, etc. And in between their visits you have the cleaning staff, food staff, voluteers. Now don't get me wrong, the hospital staff was very good compared to some of the things I've read on the site but I was wiped out when I was discharged.

I have dealt with the insurance companies a lot with both myself and my children. If you need more than two days your doctor can make it happen. Express your concern at the hospital if you see after the second night you may stay a 3rd.
My surgery is also happening very quickly. I have no clue what my insurance has approved. I figured I have too much to deal with to worry about. I'll let someone else deal with that. Just try to relax and make the best of being waited on.