Trying to find Support. Please help

[SleepyonMagnoliaSt]

Hi 49er! I thought about calling the insurance anyway and asking if they could call my doctors office and speak to Jennifer who does the Pre-certifications and tell her I'm covered anyway LOL.

My husband said I should give them until tomorrow because he thinks the lady I talked to went and probably told them that I'm complaining XD

Hi Sleepy,

Anyway you could call the doctor's office back and say something like, "I know you're very busy but due to having a short window due to having to get a baby sitter, I would greatly appreciate your help in getting this expedited. And see what they offer to do.

If the person still seems to be stalling, maybe ask if you can speak to a supervisor in a calm manner. I just feel you have the right to have this done as quickly as possible, particularly when you offered suggestions in expediting things.

49er

Kind of frustrated. I got the referral on Wednesday and was told they would call the insurance and make sure they covered the sleep study and I'd get a call by Friday. I never heard back.

However 'I' called the insurance and found out in 5 minutes on Wednesday that they do cover sleep studies. So I called the office today to find out WHY I've not heard back about scheduling and I was told 'Oh well she's waiting to hear back from the insurance!'

So I asked her 'Can I have the insurance company call her?' (They offered to do that on Wednesday and it only took 15 minutes to find out for my daughter's MRI if it was covered) and she goes 'no no you'll get a call this week sometime'

I'm just frustrated because I have a short window I can get this study done and NOT have to worry about a baby sitter for my young children. And it sounds like the lady in their office hasn't even called my insurance because if she had she'd discover they DO cover sleep studies and don't' need pre-authorization

[SleepyonMagnoliaSt]

I'm not even dealing with the sleep lab yet *sigh* My doctors office won't refer me without a pre-certification which is what I'm waiting for. So the referral hasn't even left their office yet.

That's what I'm worried about. Missing something ASAP because they are goofing about and not calling my insurance.

Light a fire under their butt.
Tell them your situation with the small children.

You never know...they might have a cancellation tonight and you miss the opportunity because of their taking their own sweet time. They are probably booked up and just don't see the need for any rush. It's rare for there to be an open slot within an immediate time frame. Depends on how far out their booking is but there might be a cancellation and you could get on that list.

Is there any other sleep lab facility in your area that works with your insurance...threaten to take your business elsewhere if they don't want to try to be speedy.

[Pugsy]

Ahhh...then light a fire under the person who needs to get the pre cert done.
Sleep labs are typically booked out 2 or 3 weeks anyway.
Give her/him till this afternoon and check with your insurance company and if still nothing by this afternoon before closing time...stoke the fire a bit and again tomorrow morning if need be.

[jwerley]

I have nothing to add to the great posts that you have already received except welcome to the forum and the best of luck with getting your sleep study done! We are here for you!

Take care,
Janice

[SleepyonMagnoliaSt]

I've decided just to call the insurance co after lunch and have them call the lady who does pre-certifications. LOL I don't care if it upsets her.

Ahhh...then light a fire under the person who needs to get the pre cert done.
Sleep labs are typically booked out 2 or 3 weeks anyway.
Give her/him till this afternoon and check with your insurance company and if still nothing by this afternoon before closing time...stoke the fire a bit and again tomorrow morning if need be.

[Pugsy]

LOL I don't care if it upsets her.

You go girl...

I have always maintained that if someone was going to be upset I would much prefer it not be me.

[sawinglogz]

I had a similar experience of slow dr's office when getting pre-approved for my follow-up study. (9 days delay and they still didn't have approval the Friday before the sleep study!)

In my case, because it was a follow-up study, the lab already had my records & results, so once the sleep lab got involved, they got the approval in 25 minutes. (They were obviously more motivated to make the sleep study happen.)

[SleepyonMagnoliaSt]

I called and asked to be put in touch with the Pre-certification Referral lady. So I got her answering machine and left a message telling her exactly what was going on.

[49er]

I called and asked to be put in touch with the Pre-certification Referral lady. So I got her answering machine and left a message telling her exactly what was going on.

Awesome!

Now make sure you are a PIA without being too overbearing.

49er

[pandatx]

Welcome to the forum. you will get all kinds of support and great info here. I think you'll feel much better after you have your study done. You'll have answers. No matter what it shows its a step in finding out what's going on with you.

xoxo

[quietmorning]

Dear Sleepy,

Kudos for your bravery to see this through to a sleep study!! I agree, it will either be ruled out (which is just as important as ruled in) or it will be ruled in. . .I have a sneaky suspicion that you are very close to getting to the bottom of this and will finally get the treatment you need. I was actually diagnosed with a somnatization disorder because of this thing . . .many years ago before they figured out that you really DO need your sleep. . .and oh my, you need OXYGEN too!!

The thing that I'd like to give to you is that no matter what happens, you will be ok. It will not destroy you. It will make you stronger and more resolved. I have the feeling that it's going to be a huge sigh of relief to finally be able to get the air you need at night, though.

Best blessings to you. Please keep us posted!

[STL Mark]

Welcome to the community,

This is a great time to read here about what to expect at your sleep study and to learn what to ask for in the way of equipment. In the worst situations, people will get a sleep study have it reviewed and be given a machine that offers them very little but qualifies for payment to the equipment provider by your insurance.

It is wonderful when you can inform yourself and be prepaired. You are in control and can make sure things are handled in your best interest.

You are with friends here.

Mark

[BlackSpinner]

Thank you Kaiasgram. I have had some blood work done. They did a full blood workup. Even checked my thyroid and everything appears normal. I'm slightly anemic (11) but I've been that way since I was 11. I have chronic anemia. I've never felt as bad as I do now either.

My husband has gotten really scared some nights he wakes me up. Seems really spooked

Did they check for Celiacs?
Not that I don't think you have OSA but some of the symptoms overlap and it seems to be the last thing they check. The average time to diagnose celiacs/gluten intolerance is 9 years. Anemia and IBS and being very thin are some of the symptoms.

[SleepyonMagnoliaSt]

Yeah they checked me for Celiac and for main allergens (milk, and such) All of them were negative which is when they stuck me with the 'IBS' diagnosis which to me is a junk diagnosis for 'We don't know what's wrong so it's IBS!'

Thank you Kaiasgram. I have had some blood work done. They did a full blood workup. Even checked my thyroid and everything appears normal. I'm slightly anemic (11) but I've been that way since I was 11. I have chronic anemia. I've never felt as bad as I do now either.

My husband has gotten really scared some nights he wakes me up. Seems really spooked

Did they check for Celiacs?
Not that I don't think you have OSA but some of the symptoms overlap and it seems to be the last thing they check. The average time to diagnose celiacs/gluten intolerance is 9 years.

[SleepyonMagnoliaSt]

Woohoo!! So unlike mean lady who hung up on me this morning the referral lady called me and THANKED Me for getting in touch with her personally. She said in situations like mine she wants the patients to call her!

She had the referral in hand for the schedule dept and needed to know when I would prefer the appointment. I told her 'the soonest they have!' So she sent it! My order is in!! WOOHOOO