Waiting on brassards office to approve me

[mszoey]

So I have a question is it normal for them to take over 9 weeks to approve someone for surgery. I live in Ontario I was approved by ohip back in July. Aug 24th I received confirmation that they were sending it to the nursing staff and that's where I'm sitting

I kinda want to scream I feel like I have been forgotten about and my depression and dysphoria have come back really bad and I don't know what to do


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[Brooke]

I would try to be the squeaky wheel. Call them, get a status update, and get an ETA for next step. If they don't follow up with you by that date, give them an extra 30% of the time, and then start over by calling for a status update.

Don't forget to document names, times, and ETAs.


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[shelleyg]

Im in the same circumstance, Zoey.

I wasn't aware that there would be a process where a clinical nurse and/or team would necessarily need to review one's case and approve. I wonder, are they looking at the questionnaire, health reports, therapy letters, etc in order to make a determination?

Yikes...

Brassard was always one of my top choices. When I learned that most NA surgeons have a fairly significant waiting list, he moved to the top of my list 

What is confusing, if not frustrating, is that whether or not one is approved, I wonder why the length of time to get back to a patient is so indeterminate? Sounds like some people have waited a short time, others months. If the latter, I wouldn't be surprised if the reaction would be *did they forget about me*. Clearly hard to make plans and schedule ones life...

Im thinking about Thailand again - the issue for me here is the length of time from work. I own a small biz, and it would almost ruin the company for me to be away so long...hence having surgery in NA is not just convenient, but critical.

I've looked at Gary Alter, but not sure I can afford the fee - hard to know for certain what part of the hospital fee my insurance would cover.

Shelley

[shelleyg]

I would try to be the squeaky wheel. Call them, get a status update, and get an ETA for next step. If they don't follow up with you by that date, give them an extra 30% of the time, and then start over by calling for a status update.

Don't forget to document names, times, and ETAs.


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Can you recommend anyone in particular? Until now, I've dealt with Adrienne. I imagine she is their front line of defense. Feel sorry for her, its a tough position to constantly tell people "wait"! 

[mszoey]

I actually called them about a week ago cause I moved to give them my new address  and they didn't have my damn phone number even tho it's on half the paperwork sent in.

I also have a small business but luckily for me rent is cheap (live with my mom) and I have employees that still make money for me even when I'm not working.
And another thing that has concerned me is I have heard that if you bug them they put you too the bottom of the list (I don't know the legitimacy of that so don't quote me)

I'm gonna give them till next wed which will be 9 weeks and I'm gonna start calling them once a week till I get a date


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[Brooke]

Can you recommend anyone in particular? Until now, I've dealt with Adrienne. I imagine she is their front line of defense. Feel sorry for her, its a tough position to constantly tell people "wait"!

I do not. Just a general recommendation for keeping things moving along. I find using accountability works much better than calling on a weekly basis. More checking in on progress rather than nagging" I don't get angry over the phone, and say thanks allot. Showing appreciation goes a long way in what is a typically thankless job.

[mszoey]

Oh ya I am Canadian as pissed off as I would get I would still use yes ma'am no sir and thank you every sentence. But I will keep in mind to get names.

One answer I have got the last couple of times when I asked how it was going was just simply "I don't know" if I ask will they be able to get me someone that can give me a better answer or is that all I am going to get out of them


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[Brooke]

If you get "I don't know " ask why. See if progress has stalled due to waiting on someone else. Ask "who would know" and "is there anything I can deal on my end?" Basically don't let people off the hook with vague answers. Don't be afraid to get yourself to the right person. Don't be afraid of asking to speak to their supervisor. Be willing to get your hands dirty by inquiring to all parties involved. This could be the referring doctor, the billing department reviewing case (brassard's side) and any member services phone number for your insurance. If you have a caseworker try them as well.


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[islandgirl]

I am in the same boat! My referral went in in May, Completed beginning of July. I was sent my patient questionnaire and returned it the same day (July). My file is with clinical/surgery team since Aug. I phoned last week prior to my endo appointment (she is my referring doctor). I was told to be patient and wait. In July I was told that it would be up to a month after the file went to the team that a date would be set. Way over that time. I am frustrated too!

[jujubes1986]

So I have a question is it normal for them to take over 9 weeks to approve someone for surgery. I live in Ontario I was approved by ohip back in July. Aug 24th I received confirmation that they were sending it to the nursing staff and that's where I'm sitting

I kinda want to scream I feel like I have been forgotten about and my depression and dysphoria have come back really bad and I don't know what to do


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Yes it is normal! I sent in the medical package late April 2016 and they gave me an email late June 2016 for an October 2016 surgery date! Keep bugging them, they are very slow sometimes... but once you have your date you'll be very anxious till the day of!


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[mszoey]

Thanks. Actually I just called them and she was gonna ask the pre op team what was going on.

On a side note juju I have been following you on twitter and watching the progress has been great [emoji4]


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[Stephenie S]

My paper work went in July/August and I am supposed to hear back by email in a few weeks. I am told it is with the clinical nurse. The email will come from the nurse when it is checked out and there will be a suggested surgery date.
I can tell you quite emphatically that calling and bugging will do no good whatever.
They have a process that they follow. They are swamped with requests and there is a line up to get in for surgery.
They are the only place that Ontario residents can go that is approved by the OHIP coverage. In rare cases people from Ontario can beg literally beg OHIP to approve someone else but that is not the rule.
My partner is a health care professional and tells me that nobody puts people ahead or behind their place in the waitlist.
Asking for names will do absolutely nothing because the person you talk to on the phone is THE person to talk to. You wont be redirected to anyone, why would you be since there are no special cases.
One has to be mature about this and just wait it out. It might seem unfair because one has waited for years and they do know that but its first come first served.
There is nothing unfair going on it's just the way it is.
Now as an Ontario resident with only one doctor to see I could make a case for unfairness when people from other countries get in ahead of people from Ontario but...thems the breaks too.
Also they are not slow..the process is and it's not because they speak French as a first language, there are so many people wanting to see Brassard because his rep. is good and again, hundreds of Ontarians with one 'choice'.

[jujubes1986]

Thanks. Actually I just called them and she was gonna ask the pre op team what was going on.

On a side note juju I have been following you on twitter and watching the progress has been great [emoji4]


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Thnx girl... I'm heading back home now... the clot on my clit is starting to fall off but it started bleeding but not a lot... I just have to be careful for now...


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[jujubes1986]

My paper work went in July/August and I am supposed to hear back by email in a few weeks. I am told it is with the clinical nurse. The email will come from the nurse when it is checked out and there will be a suggested surgery date.
I can tell you quite emphatically that calling and bugging will do no good whatever.
They have a process that they follow. They are swamped with requests and there is a line up to get in for surgery.
They are the only place that Ontario residents can go that is approved by the OHIP coverage. In rare cases people from Ontario can beg literally beg OHIP to approve someone else but that is not the rule.
My partner is a health care professional and tells me that nobody puts people ahead or behind their place in the waitlist.
Asking for names will do absolutely nothing because the person you talk to on the phone is THE person to talk to. You wont be redirected to anyone, why would you be since there are no special cases.
One has to be mature about this and just wait it out. It might seem unfair because one has waited for years and they do know that but its first come first served.
There is nothing unfair going on it's just the way it is.
Now as an Ontario resident with only one doctor to see I could make a case for unfairness when people from other countries get in ahead of people from Ontario but...thems the breaks too.
Also they are not slow..the process is and it's not because they speak French as a first language, there are so many people wanting to see Brassard because his rep. is good and again, hundreds of Ontarians with one 'choice'.

I agree


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[islandgirl]

Here I am sitting still waiting (even less patiently) for my email. I really am frustrated, but have no choice other than waiting. At least I am  able to be in sunny Mesa, presently a little too warm. I will put my mind on tennis and having fun with the girls on my tennis team! 

Anybody hear anything yet?

Hugs, Kelly

[mszoey]

still waiting

just keeping my fingers crossed hoping everyweek i will finally get that email

if i hear anything i will update this thread

[jujubes1986]

still waiting

just keeping my fingers crossed hoping everyweek i will finally get that email

if i hear anything i will update this thread

I'm sure you are anxious right now but it'll come soon next thing you know you are back at home doing sitz bath and complaining about mr. Green


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[islandgirl]

That does sound good!

[archlord]

Okay, let me clarify something on the process as i just did it and im waiting to have my surgery before xmas ( im not telling the date).

I sent my fully completed paperworks last may 2016. After 4 week no awnser, i called back the office they told me that they recieved the files but it hasnt been reviewed yet. So i bugged them to review it live.  First step is that the receptionist verify if all files are inside.  ( approx 2-6 week) .

Then she told me that she would send files to the office nurse to review everything.  Second step = approx 4-8 week.

3rd step, nurse will call you for pre-op appointment with brassard and she will give you a date for the pre-op appointment  ( around 4-12 week after as dr brassard is busy).

This days finally comes, you get to see brassard, he reviews your files for 30 second and he draw his signature to approve. Then he checks for your genitals to verify if you have enough skin to do it without graft.  Then thats it.



If you are from quebec with RAMQ governement insurance they will send files to RAMQ after the consultation and you have to give them 50$ for the process.

next step : 1-2 month after( time it takes for RAMQ clearance) they will finally call you to give you a surgery date. Expect 3-5 month



Without RAMQ, they will book you a surgery date just after your consultation  ( approx 3-5 month)



To make it short, its totally normal you havent news from them but keep bugging them. Your files might just be taking the dust.

[islandgirl]

Thanks for that information. My file was not forwarded to the nurse until July. Now with team for review. I have phoned a number of times and I guess I will again.