YES!

C called the medical group yesterday, and received the confirmation number for Dr Trento (surgeon).

YES!

He also scheduled a consult appointment for Nov 14th. We don't have to do anything or worry about anything until then. I am so relieved and happy and just... ah. :)

When Dr Wong (cardiologist) sent over Jack's medical records, he also sent a referral request marked "urgent". I think the medical group got the point that Jack's case isn't something they could dick around with.

*does happy dance*

Commence Banging of Head Against Wall

Yesterday, we received a letter in the mail stating that our medical group has deemed Jack's case as NON-URGENT, and was giving his doctors 45 days to send in Jack's medical records. "If the requested information is received within 45 calendar days a decision will be made within 5 business days of receipt of the information."

Um... what??? Non-urgent??? Even Dr Wong said he wouldn't want to wait more than 6 months from the time Jack had his (failed) cath until he could have OHS. Ugh.

So, I had C call Dr Wong and ask if they could send Jack's info over to the medical group. They were surprised because they thought everything had gone through and that we'd already consulted with the surgeon! Dr Wong said he would even send his own referral request along with the information... C said he sounded very worried that this whole process was taking so long.

Then, C called Jack's old pediatrician and asked them to send his file over as well. It'll get done sometime next week. So, hopefully we'll hear something in the next 2 weeks (????).

We're both so worn out and fed up with the insurance BS. It's driving everyone involved CRAZY. Why is it so f*ing difficult to see a surgeon?! Why does everything have to be such a pain?


I started crying after I read the letter. 45 days! I'm so glad C made the phone calls and got everyone going on this. There are some days when I just don't want to deal with it, and today was one of those days. *sigh*

And So We Wait...

I called Jack's pediatrician yesterday to see what was taking so long. We had gotten paperwork to see Dr Wong in the mail last week, but we didn't need it. We're waiting for the paperwork for Dr Trento.

It sounded like there was a mix-up somewhere in the lines of communication. They were under the impression that Dr Wong was the surgeon, and I guess that's how it got presented to the medical group; which is why the referral to Dr Trento was "shut down". I explained that, no, Dr Wong was a cardiologist. They asked if I'd seen him yet. I told them that we've been going to him for a year and a half now. We just needed the authorization for Dr Trento--the s-u-r-g-e-o-n.

They cleared everything up and resubmitted the referral for Dr Trento. So, we wait. Again. :)

The Saga Continues

Today we saw Jack's new pediatrician. She has an office out in Beverly Hills, right near CS Hospital. Jack's doctor is Amy Weimer; she's a young gal--looks fresh out of med school--but a REALLY good doctor. She was efficient, but not rushed. We gave her Jack's brief medical history. We dropped the names of Dr Wong, Dr Ferry, and Dr Trento, and it was so nice to hear that she knows these guys, so we didn't have to explain who they are, etc.

She typed everything into her computer (the way it should be), which I think is very efficient because instead of looking back through charts (which, in my experience, most doctors don't do), she can just click and pull up his complete history. :)

Anyway, she put in the referrals for Dr Wong and Dr Trento right in the computer. She told us that, on the way out, we could pick up the authorization number for Dr Wong (instead of the week-long wait it normally is). The gal at the front desk said to call back later or tomorrow, and she'd give us the authorization number for Dr Trento.

Just like that. No waiting, no guessing. THIS is the way medical groups should be run; NOT the run around we always got before.

So, tomorrow we'll call and get the auth # for Dr Trento, schedule a consult with him, and then schedule surgery.


So far, in my experience, it pays to wait for the best. We're incredibly happy, and C and I just gave sighs of relief when we left. :)

That's all. No drama. Yay!



P.S. I'll let you know how the visit with Dr Trento goes, and when surgery is.