I'm new here and I'm just starting the process of LAP-BAND® surgery. I have anthem BCBS insurance. Is there anyone here who has the same insurance? Maybe someone to tell me what to expect from them. In 2005 they told me they didn't cover any weight loss surgery at all. Now as of a few weeks ago they said they'll cover it if there are predetermined conditions approved. Thanks to anyone who can help!:ohmy:

I'm new here and I'm just starting the process of LAP-BAND® surgery. I have anthem BCBS insurance. Is there anyone here who has the same insurance? Maybe someone to tell me what to expect from them. In 2005 they told me they didn't cover any weight loss surgery at all. Now as of a few weeks ago they said they'll cover it if there are predetermined conditions approved. Thanks to anyone who can help!:ohmy:

I have Anthem BCBS TX.They require a BMI of 40, or 35 with commodities. Since I only had a BMI of 40 I was required to do a 6 month medically supervised diet, which I'll complete in about a week. I also had to complete a Psychiatric evaluation which I did yesterday. Hopefully I receive a response in a few weeks. Your doctors office can tell you exactly what you particular provider requires.

I have Anthem BCBS of California and I was pleasantly pleased with how smooth the approval and coverage process has been for me.

I had approval within 6 working days and wasn't required to have any supervised diet or any other testing. The only requirements were a BMI of +40 or a BMI of +35 with 2 co-morbidities. I qualified with the lower BMI and diabetes and high blood pressure.

I spoke in length to the insurance coordinator for my surgeon about approval situations and differences in insurance comapnies. He stated that even if he had two people with Anthem BCBS each would have different requirements due to restrictions put upon them by their employers. I was lucky that my employer had absolutely no restrictions pertaining to weight loss surgery. I was covered under the general BCBS guidelines. Another person that was trying to get surgery at the same time as me also had BCBS. She was denied because her employer put in a specific clause not to cover weight loss surgery. I guess that it saves the company money to eliminate certain benefits for their employees. Kind of blows if you ask me.

It sounds like you will have an easy time of it since you know that your employer now allows the surgery under Anthem BCBS. I really wish you luck with your approval and please keep us posted!

hey happy mom-did u have surgery yet? at lovelace? any stories to share? i start my preop on the 5th....w/surgery on the 19th.........and also a bcbs (of nm) patient.

You won't have too much trouble with them. They are easy to work with.

I'm new here and I'm just starting the process of LAP-BAND®® surgery. I have anthem BCBS insurance. Is there anyone here who has the same insurance? Maybe someone to tell me what to expect from them. In 2005 they told me they didn't cover any weight loss surgery at all. Now as of a few weeks ago they said they'll cover it if there are predetermined conditions approved. Thanks to anyone who can help!

I have Anthem BCBS. I was told you need to have a BMI of 40 or a BMI of < 40 but with other issues such as high BP, high chol, diabetes, etc.

I had to select one of BCBS's 'centers of excellence' facilities. I live in So Ca, about an hour from LA, so I selected Cedars Sinia.

I have a BMI of 39 and high BP, high chol, high trigs so I was able to get my approval OK without receiving any initial denials...

hey happy mom-did u have surgery yet? at lovelace? any stories to share? i start my preop on the 5th....w/surgery on the 19th.........and also a bcbs (of nm) patient.

Hi there - I had a great experience being banded at Lovelace. Which surgeon is performing your banding......Dr. Smith or Dr. Sanchez? The staff at Lovelace is fantastic and I couldn't have asked for anything better.

I really wish you luck with your pre-op diet. It was a killer, but the time really seemed to go by quickly. Please send me a personal message if you have any questions about Lovelace or the banding process itself. I would be so happy to share my experiences! Good luck!