Amurillo04

I sent my coordinator all my test results and weigh ins so she will probably be submitting to the insurance Monday or Tuesday. I'm so anxious! I hope I get a quick approval. I'd like to get the surgery mid July.
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I sent my coordinator all my test results and weigh ins so she will probably be submitting to the insurance Monday or Tuesday. I'm so anxious! I hope I get a quick approval. I'd like to get the surgery mid July.
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I sent my coordinator all my test results and weigh ins so she will probably be submitting to the insurance Monday or Tuesday. I'm so anxious! I hope I get a quick approval. I'd like to get the surgery mid July.
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I'm following this thread. I have Empire BCBS too. At my initial appointment my BMI was 39.2 (I had a previous sleep apnea diagnosis) but after receiving my new sleep study I've learned that I no longer have sleep apnea. I still have two months to go in the process but I'm nervous about approval if I'm not at a BMI of over 40. I've gained a little weight (which my nutritionist says I shouldn't) so now I'm nervous about that too.
Hoping you get approved!
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Right when I was getting to be sleeved, my primary doctor told me I had H.pylori. I told my surgeon, Dr. Yatco (NYC) and he said he already saw from my tests that I had it but it would not be a big deal. He said many people actually have H.pylori it's a bacteria but it shouldn't interfere with the surgery at all.
I also took pills to treat the H.pylori before surgery. While I didn't finish all the pills prescribed, I still got the surgery. It was never an issue for my doctors.
Hope everything goes well for you!

I totally understand both sides. I know that the surgery is a huge tool that can help with your diet but at the same time in that year and a half you could lose a good amount of weight. I'm sorry your insurance changed on you!
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I like you am a BCBS client. I only had to do four moths with NUT. My paperwork is at BCBS so it's the waiting game. Let's both be optimistic and get ready for change
DSLdiversity

I just contacted my doctor she told me I will NOT be denied for losing weight during my 6 month diet . She said I was doing great.

My coordinator told me that the first weight matters only, so make your your extra heavy your first consultation. That being said your surgeon or coordinator will tell you whether or not your insurance will be affected if you go under 40 BMI so be sure to ask!
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May have a problem????
Im scheduled for wls july 25th ..The nut told me to double check with my insurance to see My insurance do pay for the surgery (Emblem health) but 6 months requirements the clinic told me 3 months i hope i don't have to wait til November will be so hurt.????????????

I started in February. It has taken 6 months to meet all the requirements of my insurance. Should be sleeved late June or early July. I was very disappointed having to wait so long, however the journey with all the appointments have taught me a lot. It has also taught me patience and to get my brain properly prepared. It goes by pretty fast. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

@, my last app is the 25th also! It's at 9am! It's almost here woohoo!!

I totally understand but I'm not a person who gives them a few hours and then starts complains it's been over a month and I've sent two emails and called once. I think a over a month is more then enough time to get back to a person.
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My office gave me a list of things I had to complete to get surgery done. They made this list between the time of my seminar and my first appt. it made it easy to know what I needed to do and when to turn in all the paperwork I had collected from everyone. I hope you have given them a day or two to return your email as I know that sometimes they spend a lot of time on the phone fighting insurance companies. I know I wouldn't like that job!!!!

I have BCBS Fed and was approved within a week of submission a couple months ago.
In my experience, your BMI must be 40 or higher on your initial weigh in with surgeon. Wear heavy clothes, stuff your pockets, etc.... The 2 year weight history has to be an obese weight history (over 35 BMI). As long as you have a weight for each year for the past 2 years that is above BMI 35, you should be fine.
I had no comorbidities, a BMI of barely 40 at first weigh in (thanks to a full bladder, keys, cellphones, jeans. Lol), and an over 35 BMI for the prior 2 years.
Good Luck!!!

Thank you lots! I started in January so I'm hoping for July but my surgeon doesn't schedule till approval. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have to do 6, started in March, I've had one March, April, May, then I'll have June July and August and be able I schedule for an August surgery.
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Working for an insurance company helps me a little with knowing medical policies and whatnot but we can only follow what the medical policy states. The doctor may be saying that insurance companies like to see 7 visits but have you spoken with your ins to find out? I have and work for Highmark bcbs, ours states 6 consecutive monthly visits with at least 3 weeks between each visit.
When I went to my surgeon, he wanted to consider that as my first weight check but since my surgeon is 1.5 hours away, he agreed to let me do then checks with my pcp who I went to see the next week.
I do know that authorizations can take as little as a day to as long as a monthly depending on if something is missing when the original authorization is submitted but it is not something that a customer service agent can control.
Good luck and I hope our months go by quickly!
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I'm from flushing ny
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I'm also having my sleeve with Dr. yatco
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Hey, my name is Olivia and im from NYC as well. My last appointment will be in june so id probably get my surgery shorty after you. Would love to be friends.

I'm from Long Island last appointment will be in August!
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It's only been 3 weeks and of course it's gonna be hard a surgeon literally cut out your stomach. You really need to try and see the positives and tell yourself it'll get better. There are people who wish they could be in a position to say they are losing weight. I haven't personally had it -yet, on in progress of getting an approval- but my mother has and she had the same regrets at first but now she's over 100 pounds down and would never go back. I hope you feel better. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

My last appointment will be in June so I hoping to get mines in July just in time for summer break.
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The upper gi last a year but the blood work can only be good for a month. I worded the wrong. Lol. You won't have to do that again.
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