I want this surgery more than anything. I have my first appt this next week with a doctor. Can anyone tell me any idea how long it can take to be approved by insurance? I am so scared but I want to be healthy and happy once agian.

There are way too many variables to be considered for anybody to give you a straight answer.

From the time your paperwork is submitted to insurance to getting a reply is usually less than 2 weeks.

A lot of insurance companies have mandatory waiting periods or supervised diets for 3 - 6 months. Others don't. You should check with your insurance company to find out their requirements.

I can only tell you stay ontop of them..make sure you call for your referals, if hmo...make sure to call the dr to let them know things are on the way and wheels are in motion..if you don't they'll think you may not be in that of a hurry...

I want this surgery more than anything. I have my first appt this next week with a doctor. Can anyone tell me any idea how long it can take to be approved by insurance? I am so scared but i want to be healthy and happy once agian.

My particular BC/BS plan responds, typically, in 4-6 weeks. But that's once EVERYTHING is in their hands.

From start to finish--including a required 3-month supervision and completing all of the requisite specialist clearances, it took about 6 months from start (surgeon's first seminar) to the operating room. I was approved about a month before my surgical date.

ETA: Your surgeon will be able to give you a very specific idea of what to expect. A doctor's with a good insurance specialist runs like a well-oiled machine, and they KNOW how to get things pushed through just the way the insurers like it done.

It just depends on your insurance as stated by above posts.

You have to follow their procedures to the letter to get approved. Some are easy some are hard. Mine was difficult to say the least. Took a year to get approval.

with my insurance which was cdphp and in ny.. it took a total of 4 weeks once everything was in order and i had all my appointments with the doctors and bloodwork all done.. then have to get clearance from your primary.. usually they have like a 10% weightloss to do before surgery. some insurances are very strict..some are more flexible. mine was i almost reached my 10% and they did surgery anyway..I started my seminar in Oct and was banded in Jan.

I started with my surgeon in late October 2009. I had to meet with a nutritionist (twice), get a bariatric test, get blood work, meet with a psychologist, go to the cardiologist, and then back to the surgeon. On January 5th, my insurance approved the surgery and it's scheduled for this Thursday, Feb 4th-SO many appointments, but I think the end result will be great!