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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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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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
Quote from: Brooke on October 18, 2016, 03:39:27 PM
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"!
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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Quote from: shelleyg on October 18, 2016, 03:45:23 PM
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.
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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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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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!
Quote from: mszoey on October 18, 2016, 12:41:24 PM
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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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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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'.
Quote from: mszoey on October 19, 2016, 11:41:40 AM
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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Quote from: Stephenie S on October 19, 2016, 12:26:06 PM
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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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
still waiting :(
just keeping my fingers crossed hoping everyweek i will finally get that email
if i hear anything i will update this thread
Quote from: mszoey on October 23, 2016, 08:39:41 PM
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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That does sound good!
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.
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.
Quote from: jujubes1986 on October 23, 2016, 08:41:35 PM
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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Omg like you wouldn't believe. I'm ready and need it now it's just holding up my life now.
Oh well I work in the medical industry so I'm used to hospitals and drs taking their time with everything. Now it's me and not my patients so it needs to happen now. Lol
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So on the day of the 10th week I finally got a phone call basically to say that I didn't have the right information so I started off the call excited and ended it trying not to cry. But hopefully soon I will have that letter
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Quote from: mszoey on November 02, 2016, 11:16:35 AM
So on the day of the 10th week I finally got a phone call basically to say that I didn't have the right information so I started off the call excited and ended it trying not to cry. But hopefully soon I will have that letter
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What information do they still need... I had this hurdle too and I was scrambling to get everything they needed...
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Hopefully you will hear soon. I had my referral in at the end of May. Filed patient survey one week later. I had to have my med list sent in near the end of June as I mis read the form. So I don't know what this means as far as my referral! Phone calls have not helped me get any information.
Quote from: jujubes1986 on November 02, 2016, 12:17:19 PM
What information do they still need... I had this hurdle too and I was scrambling to get everything they needed...
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It was one of the letters. They didn't accept it cause it was not written directly to them. Oh well Friday the dr wrote a new one and faxed it in. Hopefully I hear from them Monday or Tuesday with a date. They didn't ask for anything else so fingers are crossed
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Quote from: mszoey on November 05, 2016, 06:35:52 PM
It was one of the letters. They didn't accept it cause it was not written directly to them. Oh well Friday the dr wrote a new one and faxed it in. Hopefully I hear from them Monday or Tuesday with a date. They didn't ask for anything else so fingers are crossed
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Thank you for talking about this as I had no idea it'd matter if a letter's directed towards a company or not. Is there a way to know for sure if a therapist is compatible with their requirements before they write the letter? Mine runs the psychologist/therapy center at a major university of America but am starting to wonder.
Well it has been over three months since my file when to the clinical nurse and team for review! I phoned again this morning, one month after my last call and got the same message. 'Be a little more patient!' The clinical nurse is to email me once the review is completed and a date can be set. I am starting to wonder if I am in the play 'Waiting for Godot'!
Quote from: islandgirl on November 14, 2016, 09:36:08 AM
Well it has been over three months since my file when to the clinical nurse and team for review! I phoned again this morning, one month after my last call and got the same message. 'Be a little more patient!' The clinical nurse is to email me once the review is completed and a date can be set. I am starting to wonder if I am in the play 'Waiting for Godot'!
I'm sorry they are making you wait this long... you will get that phone call for sure
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Thanks! When Adrienne said to be a little more patient, I asked if she could send me some! We laughed. It just seems to be taking a lot longer that I was told it would. A phone call won't help as I am out of the country. Email will work.
Glad to see your recovery is going along well. Movement can really help with healing the body. Hugs, Kelly
well last wednesday i finally talked to the clinical nurse, she asked me about a heart issue i had about 6 years ago (Had a irregular fast heart beat for a night that went away and never came back)
i have done every test possible and they havent found a damn thing and it hasent happened again since, im pretty sure that iot was stress seeing is at that time i lost my job and that is when i first really started wanting to transition again after my son was born (i had over a year of something else on my mind lol)
so she was gonna talk to the anesthesiologist and if i didnt hear back from her she would approve me and hand my file back to the office, so hopefully seeing is that it is monday that is a good sign and my fingers are crossed that i get a date this week hopefully they have some cancelations cause im able to go basically anytime getting off work is no issue for me, hell i have been off for the last 2 weeks already cause i bruised my ribs on my 4wheeler (ouch)
May I ask how you were able to speak to the clinical nurse? I can't get any closer than Adrienne at the front door! I would like to know where the hold up is for me.
They call you when they are ready to talk to you. That's it unfortunately
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Thanks. I hope they email vs call as I am out of the county and will not be available for a phone call. I can call them though! Waiting is difficult! It is really bringing me down. I could really use some good news with everything else that I am experiencing at the moment!
If they have any questions they will call. But they leave messages with ways to reach them. I talked to the like 2 weeks ago and I still don't have a date so it really makes no difference lol
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Quote from: mszoey on November 23, 2016, 08:49:56 AM
If they have any questions they will call. But they leave messages with ways to reach them. I talked to the like 2 weeks ago and I still don't have a date so it really makes no difference lol
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I'm sorry they were giving you a hard time... it took them 8 weeks to get back to me with a date since I gave them my medical package!
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Hopefully you will hear soon as you have been in contact. Jujubes - My package went in at the end of May. Been with the clinical nurse since second week of August. So...... not sure what to think or say.
Quote from: islandgirl on November 23, 2016, 02:40:34 PM
Hopefully you will hear soon as you have been in contact. Jujubes - My package went in at the end of May. Been with the clinical nurse since second week of August. So...... not sure what to think or say.
Hmmm that is interesting... well in August they were close for a month
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They were closed for a two week period for summer holidays. Still seems to be longer than expected.
It has only been two weeks! That is since my last post, and I seem to be sinking into melancholy. I feel like I am stalled out and as each week goes by, feel like my life has been frozen in time. I realize that this is my own mind set but reality is it still causes me to withdraw. I hope that someone has heard from Montreal! I will be phoning once again next week, monthly check in, to see if I can get any further information. Good luck everyone!
I just got my date. It will happen and luckily for me I only have to wait another 2 months for surgery so it will happen soon enough
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Quote from: mszoey on December 07, 2016, 12:25:40 PM
I just got my date. It will happen and luckily for me I only have to wait another 2 months for surgery so it will happen soon enough
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Yay!
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Congrats! Yesterday, I got an email from Véronic, the clinical nurse. I had to ship off a consent form for her to get a bit more info from my doctors. I am at least in the process! Can hardly wait for my date! Just hearing from her gave me huge boost!
Quote from: islandgirl on December 08, 2016, 03:25:51 PM
Congrats! Yesterday, I got an email from Véronic, the clinical nurse. I had to ship off a consent form for her to get a bit more info from my doctors. I am at least in the process! Can hardly wait for my date! Just hearing from her gave me huge boost!
Who did you go to to get approved? I went with camh
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Wow,I must be dense today! I am not sure what you are asking. My referral came through my endo and family doctor. In BC, it comes direct form an approved doctor. Once Montreal accepts the referral and all is seen to be complete, then they fax BC Health for funding approval. This is, I have checked, is done quickly as the referral came from an approved doctor. So I just need to wait for Veronic to get the last bits of info and then she will as for funding approval. This is a two day turn around. When I emailed Veronic on Wednesday, she said that is is just standard protocol and is done all the time. So, hopefully not too much longer to the 'date' with Dr Brassard!
you guys have a much different process then us in ontario
they just changed it here where we can have any DR do the paperwork and write the letter (one that knows you anyway)
but thats awesome so at least you know what is happening and soon you will have a date
i sooo happy for you, let us know when you get your date
Thank you so much! I was really on a downward spiral and needed to hear something from Montreal!
I forgot that she's not from Ontario
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Quote from: islandgirl on December 09, 2016, 09:05:30 PM
Thank you so much! I was really on a downward spiral and needed to hear something from Montreal!
I hear ya Hun I was starting to feel the same.
One thing everyone kept telling me was that they haven't forgot about you. It's hard to believe but it is true
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I have read many a post from people saying 'to just hang in there' but I still found myself sinking. I know that I am not the most patient person, especially since HRT. Thanks for the support you two!
Have you heard anything yet?
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Frustration, Frustration, Frustration!!! It took them over seven months to figure out that my referral was missing further letters! My main referring Dr told me it was all under control. This was back in May! Thanks to my gender therapist, who went far and beyond the call, I finally got this straightened out. I needed two more referral letters. I have one from her and a referral in for the second. This should have been done last Spring. I have learned a big lesson here and that I needed to look after things myself and not trust the 'expertise' of others. Anyway, I am again waiting for the current referral to be processed. At least this Dr. will do a video conference to meet the requirements. That way I do not have to fly home to have the appointment. Result - a delay of months to get a date.