Discussions

I recently had surgery (2 weeks ago) and will be off work for a while. I'm very fortunate to have a bit of savings so I can still manage my bills/xmas etc...  
My surgeon is no doubt a very busy person, in need all the time and likely overworked.  
I have benefits where with the doctor filling out one form, I will have supplemental coverage while I'm not at work. After two weeks the doctor still has not filled it out and when I asked the question to the receptionists/nurses when the doctor may have a chance they are very unsure as to when or even if the doctor will fill out the form.  
 
Please understand that I realize how busy he may be but this is also not a free service- I am paying almost $100 to simply have a form filled out and was wondering is anyone else has come across this before...  
 
How long have you had to wait for a doctors form or note?  
 
Have you had any resolve going to your family doctor rather than the actual surgeon for insurance forms?  
 
Do you think I should just suck it up and call it a $4000+ loss from my time off?  
Even though I've been paying into insurance for years?  
 
Any feedback would be appreciated and grumpy jerks who just want to throw mud at myself or the doctors need not respond. Thanks!

Not sure why you would be getting surgeon to fill out paper work. Go to your general doctor as he will most likely be playing the middle man for back and forth communications with insurance. I just went through this for an employee and it is filled out with the doctor handling the whole situation, not the specialists involved.

As a primary care provider, I would say that most people have their GP or NP complete the insurance forms. Specialists don't generally have the time or interest to complete forms. Definately get the forms back and take them to your primary care provider.

When I had my surgery the forms were filled out and ready by the time I was discharged. Alternatively I’m sure your GP or the referring doc can fill out the paperwork!

Both my husband and myself have had surgeries where the surgeon is the one to complete the forms for private insurance purposes - he/she is the professional who has performed the surgery, makes sense to me that it would be he/she to complete the forms providing the necessary details of the procedure. I suggest you ask your family doctor if he or she is able to complete the forms then you will know. And I think it's definitely worth it to get the forms completed rather than lose the $4000+ that you indicate you will be out if you don't collect sick pay from your insurance provider.

Thanks to all who replied. I tried getting my regular doctor to fill them out but he advised that the surgeon should certainly do it- if there's any complications or differences that arise from the surgery that would affect my benefits the surgeon is responsible... therefore I will leave the paperwork with the surgeon and it will get done whenever it does.  
 
Even if I'm back to work by the time it's done hopefully I will get some reimbursement to assist with income loss.  
I kind of feel bad for the doctors and surgeons that are run off their feet day and night. I wish them well.

I'm also thankful that I have benefits and that I had surgery and didn't have to remortgage my house to do it.  
sometimes it's easy to forget what's important and certainly Christmas is a time to reflect on what really is important.  
 
I know having extra cash right now would be a great help but it's not the end of the world. I have decent health, family and friends and I hope anyone else reading this does too.  
 
Without health not much else seems to matter. Merry Christmas everyone! thanks again for your replies.