Anyone with Health First? Please Help

[Sophia Mcleod, MSPAS, RPA-C]

Hi everyone,
 We have been having some patients who are currently having problems finding doctors who accept Health First.
Is there anyone who has had their surgery and used Health First?
Any hints or suggestions?
Anyone currently going through the pre op evaluations having success or road blocks with Health First?
Please share.
thank you

[Cmilla]

Hi Sophia,

well I have Fidelis and I'm having the same problem. I have tried calling Fidelis but they are no hope at all. They gave me the name of one surgeon but he only does open and I DO NOT want huge scares on my stomach. I looked today on the fidelis website and it listed Dr. Buchin as being under surgeons so is he finally accepting Fidelis?? If so I would love to make an appointment ASAP!!

thanks,
Casandra 

[Sophia Mcleod, MSPAS, RPA-C]

Hi Cassandra,
      Have you been having problems scheduling your pre op appointment e.g. cardio or pulmonology?
We accept most medicaid HMO's but it's the other doctors that our patients are having problems getting appointments with.

Let us know how it  has been going for you.

[Cmilla]

Hi Sophia,

Well I had to search and search but I have most of my pre-op stuff done, however I still havent seen dr Buchin as of the last time i checked he didnt accept my insurance so in the mean time  I have been  seeing my regular doctor, did my sleep study and pulmonary eval. I just need to see the cardio, nutritionist and psych eval.  I was not able to use any of the doctors on the pre-op check list for Fidelis, but Dr.Buchin said I could see who was in my plan that would do the evals. I look forward to speaking with you soon

Thanks,
Casandra

[CAMELLIA]

I have completed all of the items on the LIST and am ready to make an appointment for surgery. Is there any way to get United Health Care  to to approve the SLEEVE?  Where is Dr. B. in the process of becoming a participating provider?  If all of this takes too long, will I have to redo everything on the LIST?  I am becoming a little discouraged... Any advice / suggestions?

[Sophia Mcleod, MSPAS, RPA-C]

Dr Buchin does accept United Health Care HMO & PPO as of 10/07. As far as getting the sleeve approved the have denied all previous submissions because the procedure is still considered 'experimental.' But we are still trying to get this procedure approved. We just have to keep our fingers crossed. All evaluations, test and consults are good for 1 year.

If there is anyone who has gotten the sleeve procedure approved please let us know.