gordonfamily3

I work for a local bariatric surgeon in NC and I can't say I have ever done anything w/ BCBS FL but I did a quick search and here is their medical policy. This is normally what I read when a patient comes in w/ an insurance before. I hope this is somewhat helpful. I normally don't have any problems w/ the BCBS plans and I have worked w/ several of them.

BCBSF Medical Coverage Guidelines (MCG) (if it doesn't bring you to the right place look for the medical coverage guidelines and then search for Morbid Obesity.)

Good Luck!

Just wanted to say Hello to everyone! Hope your journey's are going well or the pre-op process is going even better for you! The band has been a great tool for me and I am very happy to have had over 3 yrs ago. There are so many more band doctors now then when I started.

Good Luck on your process and journey! If anyone is ever in the Charlotte area there are about 10 - 20 of us that get together on a monthly (sometimes more because we have so much fun together) basis. Our next support group meeting is Sept 13th it's held at Presbyterian Hospital.

Again good luck!!!!!

From my exp w/ Cigna is that they do require a 6 month supervised diet. If you BMI is below 40 they need what they consider a major co-morbid condition like treated High BP, sleep apnea, diabeties (sp). These items normally have to been treated taking meds for at least 2 - 3 years fro Cigna. They normally are very good at approving as long as the diet is done and w/ your BMI have one of the above. If you have been denied read the denial letter carefully it will tell you excatly what they need and your doctors office can ask for a re-consideration review or a peer to peer before you have to appeal. :-) Good Luck!

Welcome! I think you are entering a great stage in your life. I think the best statement anyone can make is that they want to do this for them. You have to want it or you will not be successful. :cool2:

I am in Charlotte and there are a lot of us that get together throughout the month and we have a monthly support group. (Not sure of your area but wanted to let you know.)

Welcome and I know you will not be sorry for starting your journey to a healthy happier you!!!!

I work for a local surgeon in NC and from my exp we have NEVER gotten around the 6 month diet. I am sorry to not share better news but the insurnace companies are actually easy to work w/ IF you follow their guidelines. Now you could contact someone like Obesitylaw.com and see if they have any better ideas. I hate to here she is having such trouble. I wish her the best of luck!

I know several people that are posted by Dr. B. We actaully meet monthly. If you want to pm me I will be happy to share some info w/ you. He personally isn't my doctor but I did go to his seminar when I was looking to be banded. I have heard good things about him.

Good Luck!

Welcome everyone! There are several of us that get together monthly here in Charlotte. So if you are ever down this way let us know...we have formed great friendships here and have great support.

Best of luck to you all!

I was just in Asheville this weekend......I know and have met several people from the area. I have met them from other boards but they are a lot of fun and I think they had it done @ Mission. I think they attend the support groups. (maybe not monthly but a good many of them.)

Welcome....hope you bandings are going great!

You should make a trip to Charlotte area....there is a large group of us that meet on a regural basis.....we love meeting other bandsters.

I would love to go out there and spend a weekend. We have a house in N Myrtle Beach....

There are over 30 of us coming so far.....wish you could be there.

Hotdogs, BBQ, fresh fruit....there is nothing wrong w/ having a picnic now and then plus there are going to kids and spouses/friends and others not banded. So we have to think of them all! :-)

We meet monthly so feel free to join us any month you would like. (well that is when you are NC. haha)

Well I can't help you w/ the post band questions. I can say I am so jealous. My in-laws are going for the first time this year so maybe when the kids are grown and we retire and don't have to worry about anything DH and I can make the trip out there.

I would suggest getting some profect or New whey, it's those little test tube pre mixed drinks or Isopure (personally I don't like that) then make sure to take healthy Snacks, Protein chips, bars, other powders you can mix in a bottle of Water.

You can do it....just set your mind to it but have fun also.

Looks like fun but too far from NC for us to come. Have fun!!!!

Hello -

We are having a picnic at James Dorton Park on Poplar Tent Rd in Concord on June 21rst. I have reserved the shelter from 10 - 2.

We ask that you RSVP by the 18th so that I can get a head count on the hot dogs and bbq. There is a $2.00 per person fee to help cover those cost. Also asking that you bring a side or a drink or something to share w/ everyone.

For more info please feel free to email me or pm me.

We would love to have you.... I know we have few people coming from Asheville and some other areas.....great please for support to meet friends and just have a great day w/ friends and family.

Hope to see you there!!!!

Don't know how I missed this....hope things are going well with you. Mrs. Sabre is active on another board and I am not sure she ever comes on this one anymore. She actually ended up w/ Dr. Voellinger. If you have any questions please ask I will try to answer them for you. I am hitting my 3 yr mark...wow does the time fly. Good luck!!!!

Welcome!!! Good Luck tomorow, you will do fine. It is a very exciting time and is very nervous time....I remember so vividly even though it's been 3 years.

We are having a picnic on June 21rst @ James Dorton Park on Poplar Tent from 10 - 2 if you would like to join us. It's a lap-band gathering, we do it yearly and there are normally a few of Dr B's patients there. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Good Luck Tomorrow....make sure to post and let us know how things are going.

I would...I have actually been having problems I am almost 3 yrs out but I can still say today that I would do it over again if I had to. Everyone is so different when it comes to the band. I really think it's how your body reacts to things. I work at a bariatric clinic and I see some that reach goals quickly and others that take longer. So hang in there and you will get there....at least you are lossing again.

Good Luck on your seminar....I don't any docs past the Raliegh/ Durham area. Welcome to the boards...

That is what I say.....as long as you follow the process your insurance companies policies they will normally approve you fairly quickly. So for all those out there just do the process and don't give them a reason to deny you.

It's so worth the wait no matter what hoops they make you jump through.

NC medicaid only covers the RNY right now....It's a rumor since Medicare covers all the procedures that Medicaid would follow suit but that hasn't happened yet. Have you checked into Voc Rehab? They are successful at getting the different procudures through and they pay just as well as Medicaid. Best of luck to you!

I have worked w/ Anthem and haven't had any problems. Your doctors office should be able to assist you or you should be able to go their web site and pull up the medical policy for them. You just need to make sure that the company who is caring the coverages has added the rider onto the policy. :-)

My suggestion would be to make sure you show your family history of co-morbid conditions. I am not sure what your denial was for but if you could be any shorter get measured again. I am sure the obesity action coalition (sp) would be a great resource. I have seen things in my doctors from and one thing was a whole thing about insurnace and appeals. I am sure you could google insurance appeal letters and then drill down into obesity appeal letters.

Good Luck!

Every doctor has something different. Mine was a 2 week liquid diet pre-op and now he does a 2 week liquid after becuase patients were advancing themselves faster then they should. So it's best to ask your own doc. Some just require a clean out the weekend before, some a week of liquids, I have heard of some requiring a 4 wk...that would have been SO tough!

Good Luck!!!!

For me personally the band was much easier....

Good Luck!

Wow that is a great summary for those in the process. Thanks for sharing....

I think there is a way to do a search through like google or something. I know I found a site when I was looking for all the surgeons w/ in driving distance of me. That was a long time ago and I can't remember what it is now. Good Luck in your search. (I have family that is outside of DC I will talk to my cousin and see if she knows, my aunt had the RNY several years ago in DC so I can get her dr's name and see if he is doing the band, he wasn't then becasue it was before the band was FDA approved.)