Kristy:
My company has a separate mental health plan from our medical plan (Blue Cross). So, I originally called them to get a referral and approval. The mental health people told me that they didn't "do gastric bypass", and that I needed to go to a psychiatrist on my health plan because it was related to surgery, which I did. Well, I got a bill in the mail from the mental health folks saying that they wouldn't pay for it, Blue Cross said THEY wouldn't pay for it, so I was stuck. I called the mental health people back, they told me that even though they didn't "do gastric bypass" (sounds like they don't do the surgery, not the consult!!!
) that I would only be liable for the copay because the shrink's office didn't do their due diligence in getting the right approvals. Sounds hokey to me.....but, I'm happy to just get by with the copay. Somehow, I think this is going to come back to haunt me.
Seriously, we've said it time and time again on this forum, but why is there SUCH a stigma with this damn surgery? We get the run around at every turn, it's just plain mean. I asked the mental health people WHY they wouldn't cover the consult - it's a psychiatric visit LIKE ANY OTHER psychiatric visit, the nature of which is none of their business, why isn't THIS covered.....they didn't have a good answer for me. STIGMA!
Long story short - it's not uncommon to hit these bumps on the road to less bumps "on my ass". But, it's unfair. Wish we had a lawyer on this forum - smells like a good class action suit!