Hi nako99. I was doing a 6 month supervised diet which is required by GHI (PPO) and I had three more weigh-ins in order to comply with GHI's prerequisite for Lap-banding. However, my husband's employer changed from GHI to Empire BCBS and on Dec 31st, 2010 RD we received our new insurance cards with Empire Bluecross Blueshield (which is when I found out of the change). I immediately called the surgeon's office to find out if my new insurance was accepted and if a six mo supervised visit was required by the insurer. The rep at the office told me that Empire Bluecross Blueshield is accepted if in-network and no six mo supervised visit is necessary. I really don't know how well informed this office rep is though. Nevertheless, below are some helpful websites which I found that could possibly answer your questions.
BCBS Medical Policies: http://www.empireblue.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htm
BCBS Blue Distiinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery: http://www.bcbs.com/innovations/bluedistinction/blue-distinction-bariatric/
BCBS - Directory of Providers: http://www.bcbs.com/innovations/bluedistinction/blue-distinction-bariatric/bariatricmidlevelcriteria.pdf
BCBS - Centers Hospitals (participating) for Bariatric Surgery http://www.bcbs.com/innovations/bluedistinction/blue-distinction-bariatric/bluedistinctionbariatric.pdf
Hope this helps.
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