Should I call or leave them alone? - ThinnerTimes

sweetchristiangal · 12-08-2005, 06:44 PM

Ladies...
Can you help me with my quandry? I am seeking WLS though ECU of Greenville NC (home of the rouex-n-y) I know i butchered that. Well, I've really had to stay on them for appointments.

9/12 went to orientation
9/26 called me with a canceled appointment...I couldn't make it, they didn't call back

10/11 I call to see if they have an appointment...they will call me back
10/18 I call...they say they will send me a letter w/ my appointment...i tell them they haven't YET as they said they would....they put me on hold and make me an appointment.

11/14 appointent....can't be seen b/c my tricare authorization ex on 9/26 ( you think someone would have looked at that when they made my appointment)

11/21 FINALLY seen....I have blood work, ekg, and chest x ray

called 2 times in 2.5 weeks to find out my next appointment....they finally make them while i am on hold (noticing a trend)?

12/29 scheduled for gi ultrasound, anestesia consult, etc.

This leaves me with psych and nutrition left....I am wondering if i should call and see if there are cancelations where I can be worked in.....as that seems to be the best ways to do it. What do you ladies think?

I would prefer to have surgery done before I am divorced otherwise I have to pay 20% co pay.

So should I call or wait for them?

Thanks ladies

Bypassingme619 · 12-08-2005, 07:51 PM

It never hurts to try. Always stay on top of them(but always be nice). I am sure something will come through if you stay on top of the situation. I hope everything works out in your favor.

coptergirl · 12-08-2005, 08:57 PM

You have to be your own advocate, and it is difficult to judge exactly how many times you ought to call them to get your desired results. It is possible to be a squeeky, but nice wheel in order to get the grease.

Best of luck to you -- you will be in my prayers. Mt tests will be done this weekend,but the lady in the office is too busy to submit my insurance for approval so I can find out my date...arrrgghhh!!

Gina in NY · 12-09-2005, 08:08 AM

I am a total shmooze. I call and say things like "I know you're so busy, you guys are so great, I'm just so excited" and really lay it on then act like they are doing me a big favor (when in fact they are just doing their job) to make my appointments.

The squeeky wheel is the one that is oiled! So yes, call, be really nice, tell them how great they are, you know they're busy, but you're just so worried since that last letter expired, you want to make sure you're doing it right etc.

That is what I do anyway, but I am a natural shmooze, I know not everyone is. I have talked my way into and out of amazing things - my sister actually makes fun of me about it.

Good luck! At least something is happening!!

BethBaugh · 12-09-2005, 08:14 AM

Take a bag of starbucks coffee or something that would be a treat for the whole office. Then you can say , "I know you guys are super busy, but I realy need this to happen. So... I brought a little something to let you know I truely appreciate your help."

It so worked for me. I took decaf and reg coffee to the doctor's office where I knew several girls had the surgery. But , I took panera bagels to the sleep apnea doctor's staff. They had stuff done by the end of that day.

ANYWHO, just a thought.

Beth B. in TN

sweetchristiangal · 12-09-2005, 04:50 PM

Okay....I called and they told me that psych is booked till feb. They did however tell me that lots of times people just "no show" for them. I acknowledged how frustrating this must be and that was taken well. My next step i think is to call maybe 2x a week to see (or is that too much?) if they have an actual cancelation. Also I have appointments on december 29th (I am thinking ALOT of people will no show b/c of the holiday week) but maybe I can get a stand in appointment on december 29th. What do ya'll think?

coptergirl · 12-09-2005, 04:53 PM

It never hurts to ask,. I called my doc Wednesday with no reply, and she finally called today (after I left yet another message) to say that she was re-faxing the approval request this afternoon - yeah! If she actually did what she said, I could hear next week (OMG - I might pee my pants!)...

Keep on keepin' on, sweetie!

LizardQueen · 12-10-2005, 07:14 AM

I'd call once a week or so and I love the idea of taking the staff a little something. I do that occasionally at my PCP's office. I usually take them a fruit or veggie tray. They are great to me there, but I don't know if it's because I feed them or they really do like me. Maybe I oughtta try it at my wls doc. His staff are the rudest bunch I have ever met!