I just got word that my case is going to an external reviewer to ensure that the codes being used are indeed a medical necessity. At least that represents some progress.
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That shows that your persistence has paid off, @Johnny99! I’ll say a prayer that the external reviewer approves your codes. It seems if they have questions, they should call the surgeon’s office to hear their justification vs just pulling a decision out of thin air!
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I am also in NJ and scheduled for surgery with Dr. Constantino and Dr. Tobias on Sept. 19 at Stamford Hospital, but I am having problems with insurance (BCBSNJ) similar to yours. I also got the thing where they only approved code 64716, saying the rest don’t need review. I spent hours today on the phone with BCBSNJ to no avail.
How did you get them to start an external review?
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I threatened to call the Attorney General’s office and DOBI- the Department of Banking and Insurance. I also said they were denying me basic healthcare and that they would be liable for whatever happens to me- I put that in writing a few times.
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I hope that you can get the insurance sorted in time @ice , so you can have your surgery next month
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Good work, @Johnny99! Sometimes it takes “brute force” to make progress with insurance companies. Your information will be helpful for others who are stuck w/ unhelpful health insurance companies.
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Soooo this happened: I never got written pre-approvals before I needed to do all the pre-op stuff at the hospital. Fearing that I would be on the hook for most of the cost, I canceled my surgery this week. Two days before the surgery and the approvals come in the mail! Unbelievable!
I immediately contacted my doctor’s office and they re-scheduled me for the end of October. And of course the brain fog has been getting worse. This really hurts- the insurance company drags its feet getting me written confirmation after my case went out to third party review and we won, and I was worried that it wasn’t official until I got it in writing and now I have to wait 2.5 months. Not sure how I’ll be able to work for the next 2 months… tough one.
Oh no, that’s just so frustrating! I know it’s not long to wait in the scheme of things, but when you’re feeling rough it seems much longer 
Would you be able to have surgery at short notice? You could ask to be put on a cancellation list, some members have got in quicker that way?
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Were you able to get your codes approved by BC/BS?
They have big waves of cancelations at times so if you haven’t already, I’d ask to be put on the cancelation list
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Not as of yet.
I would contact the NJ Department of Insurance and Banking. Considering BC/BS has already been reported by me, you have precedent on your side. DIBA should make them acct quicker.
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I threatened BCBS with filing a complaint with NJ-DOBI/NJDPB (pensions and benefits, state health plan) in an email today. The response was, “I understand your concern. We are working towards a resolution.”
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Trust that it will be approved. I just hope it’s in time for your surgery to give you peace of mind.
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Good for you @ice! I hope they’re working towards a resolution w/ fire under them!
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Looks like there was a cancellation- I am tentatively scheduled for surgery with Dr. Constantine and Tobias Monday, 9/15. I have to say I’m very nervous. I goes what has me spooked was I was suppose to have a colonoscopy (routine and it had been scheduled back in June) today, but once the anesthesiologist found out I have brain fog, papilladema, and ICP from bilateral jugular compression she got spooked and cancelled. I guess I should be grateful that she was being so cautious. I also mentioned how bad my brain fog got after my last Angiogram. This is marking me nervous about the anesthesia part of tue surgery- not that I’m not also nervous about having my neck cut open.
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@Johnny99 - I’m really happy that your surgery is in a week! That’s great news!
It’s good your gastroenterologist’s anesthesiologist was cautious. Brain fog from anesthesia usually goes away over a period of a few days to a few weeks post op. It’s more likely the severe brain fog you have is due to your IJV compression than from the anesthesia during your angiogram. It may be that the angiogram procedure itself disturbed your IJVs thus increasing your brain fog due to brain blood flow issues.
Just getting the blood flow out of your brain more normalized will help reduce your brain fog though it may not be immediate. Some people notice a positive change within the first week or so but for others it can take longer i.e. several months after surgery. We always try to remind our members who are going into surgery that recovery is on the slow side & requires patience sometimes over a period of months. Follow the post op suggestions we’ve given will help your initial recovery be less uncomfy as well i.e. sleep/rest w/ head elevation of ~30º, ice your neck for 15 min every couple of hours w/ a thin cloth between ice pack & neck, take pain meds on schedule even during the night. If you’re taking opioids for pain, also take a stool softener & laxative each day to keep your intestinal tract moving.
Because surgery & how one will feel post op are unknown to most, it’s easy to mentally over-exaggerate how painful it will be. We’ve had a number of members recently comment it wasn’t nearly as bad as they thought it would be.
I’ve put your surgery date on my calendar & will be praying for you next Monday. 
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Thank you so much for the encouragement. The funny thing is that my brain fog right now is not bad. Or I’m just so used to the feeling that it doesn’t feel so bad- or the nasty brain fog I had after the Angiogram makes the regular brain fog not seem to bad. Anyway, I really appreciate your advice. Thank you.
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That’s good news, hope that all goes well & will pray for good results! 
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Hi 
I’m also scheduled with them the same day! Wishing you luck!
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