"I was very impressed with Dr. Barker himself. He did not spend a lot of time with me but I had already done a huge amount of research and knew what I wanted. We discussed the Roux N-Y and decided to go forward. I was NOT impressed with his office staff. We applied to BCBS of Alabama and they indicated I met all the requirements but I had to complete a 180 day diet prior to them ok'ing the surgery. During the 6 months I had to weigh in at Dr. Barker's office (a 2.5 hr round trip from my home) once a month and I was put through a lot of very expensive tests, procedures and lab work. At the end of my 6 months, the paperwork was resubmitted to BCBS of Alabama and they denied the procedure saying I needed to have completed the diet with my family DR. not Dr. Barker. Dale Gares, the insurance man w/Dr. Barker, would not take my calls, did not return my messages and when I got frustrated, I was given a lecture by an assistant that I should not be upset at them but at the insurance company. I called the insurance company and they said they had only changed the requirement of your diet with the family Dr. not Dr. Barker 1 month before I finished my diet. I was told by my attorney we should appeal. I tried several more times to call Dale Gares at Dr. Barker's office. Finally a flunky called me back and said Dale was working on the issue. That was 2 months ago and I haven't heard a word from them and they won't take my calls. I am doing the 6 month diet with my family Dr. now but believe me, if there was another Dr. in Dallas that my insurance would ok me to use, when (and if) they ever OK my surgery, Dr. Barker's group would not get my business.
Update: Aug. 2010 Dale Gares called me back to say they had been working on getting me approved. They were referring me to another surgeon for the procedure and that Dr. Barker would be the supervising diet Dr. I was sent to see Dr. B. J. Zakhour, in Mesquite (3 hrs round trip drive). I paid a $45 co-pay for a 10 min. consult and he sent my insurance company a $200 bill. BCBS denied the appeal and refused to pay his bill. So he sent it to me to be paid. Yeah, right!
Update: Oct. 2010 I have finished my second 6 month diet period on Weight Watchers with my Family Physician, Dr. Mark
Byarlay supervising. I lost about 30 lbs and put back on 22 before the 6 months was up. How typical is that? Anyway, Dr. Byarlay got with Dale Gares at Dr. Barker's office and they managed to get me approved for surgery a week before the 6 month period was even over. I have my pre-op meeting with Dr. Barker on Tues., 10/26. "
