Dumb question - pre-approval / approval? - ThinnerTimes

cprnow · 11-07-2005, 07:37 PM

I don't understand what the difference is between "pre" approval and APPROVAL?

I got my pre-approval letter about a week ago. So I faxed it and then followed up with a call to the surgeon's office. So she pulled up my file and said "oh-I see you were APPROVED on Nov. 4 (prior to the letter I got), we're just going through approval verification now."

What is it that you DON'T have when you are pre-approved as opposed to full-on approved?

Not that it really matters though! I have to find out what pre-ops I need and hopefully I'll get the surgery date. *doing happy dance*

Pixie · 11-08-2005, 08:10 AM

I could be wrong, but I think that the insurance company sends a letter saying you are approved, but then it has to followed up on to find out what is covered. Each plan is different, some have larger co-pays, some cover everything, mine for some reason didn't cover two devices they had to use, so I was billed for those. Anyway, congrats on your approval, that is really exciting, and that is the biggest hurdel, so you are on your way! Keep us posted on your date and your progress!

mrsO3america · 11-10-2005, 08:29 AM

With my insurance, I was "approved", then they kicked back my file saying they needed more documented evidence of my medical conditions. So basically I wound up sending them a 3" thick copy of my complete medical history. In my case they just wanted to verify that I had been going to/ through treatment for my infertility, that the docs couldn't find any other reason other than my weight, and that I had been on a medically supervised weight loss program. Each insurance company and surgeon's office does things a little differently. It can be frustrating!!

Today I am finally going into my surgeon's office for my pre-op evals/tests, and it took us a lot of hair pulling to get to this point.