I'm waiting to see if my insurance company United Health Care will approve me and every time I think about it my stomach just turns. I'm so, so nervous and afraid they will say no. Even if they say no the first time I think I could get them to approve it on appeal but I really want a no hassles quick approval.

My UHC doesn't have many requirements so I'm hoping I'll slide right through with my high blood pressure and sleep apnea.

How in the world do you get through this part? It's absolutely nerve wracking to me.

Yay Beachbunny! We were submitted to ins the same day... Maybe I'll get good news soon too!!! Congrats on your date! Barely 1 month away!!!!!!!!!!!11

Yesterday I visit my Surgeon, I was given a Surgery date

of September 30,2010. His secretary is getting all my

paper work together now, to be submitted to the ins co

APPROVED!!!!!!!!!! Just stalked insurance for the last time! They said it is determined that the surgery is covered and I meet all requirements! Just waiting for a date from the surgeon! (The bariatric coordinator is off today... of course! but I'll call tomorrow!)

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!! Fingers crossed for mid-august date!

OMG!!! I was just approved also!! Surgery set for August 6th!! I'm so flipping excited!!!

Not so lucky here. Yesterday heard from ins and they said they only needed my pcp to send them my weight from 2008 and everything else looked okay. I went to pcp last night and faxed them the weight report from 2008. Got a call this a.m. from nurse at BCBS and she said it was denied bcause my weight in 2008 (2 years ago) made my BMI too low. I told her I have been trying to lose the weight for many years and have been up and down on the scale. Currently I am at my highest weight ever 220 lbs. She said my surgeon can make a call to the insurance supervisor called a "peer to peer" call and try to reverse the decision. I already have my surgery date....went for all necessary tests....even went to hospital for meeting with nurse who will be in operating room.

Why did they make me do all of this if my BMI was too low? I do have comorbidities also, high blood pressure, low back pain, knee problems, etc. Not too happy tonight. cat lady:mad:

I'm sorry. You definitely should appeal.

Talk about being sick to my stomach. I have been on this roller coaster since August with Blus Cross Blue shield of IOWA. My tentative surgery date was 9-15-10, but pushed it to 9-29. I am scheduled for pre- op testing on 9-23- still don't have approval for insurance. They keep requesting more and more information. Now they are stating that they need 2 years worth of diet attempts- which I don't have any paper work for. However I have requested contracts from the gym that I go to.- (which cost $$ to obtain) and 3 years worth of weight history from my doctor. I have exceeded my out ofpocket expense with all of these tests, and on top of that I have to pay a $2000 co-pay + 20% of the surgery UP FRONT. I am getting discouraged, and frustrated...

I have Cigna as well. It took me about 4-6 weeks to hear back. I got my approval last week and I go for my pre-op testing on 9/23. Be patient it will come!!!

Good luck kfields. I know you are excited. Hopefully I will know something by Monday.

Talk about being sick to my stomach. I have been on this roller coaster since August with Blus Cross Blue shield of IOWA. My tentative surgery date was 9-15-10, but pushed it to 9-29. I am scheduled for pre- op testing on 9-23- still don't have approval for insurance. They keep requesting more and more information. Now they are stating that they need 2 years worth of diet attempts- which I don't have any paper work for. However I have requested contracts from the gym that I go to.- (which cost $$ to obtain) and 3 years worth of weight history from my doctor. I have exceeded my out ofpocket expense with all of these tests, and on top of that I have to pay a $2000 co-pay + 20% of the surgery UP FRONT. I am getting discouraged, and frustrated...

I am praying for you...I am in the waiting process also and it is hard when you have done alot of work both physically and mentally and still have bumps in the road..Praying for smooth sailing for you.

I'm on the border as well...bmi of 39 and no co-morbidity. My insurance BCBS requires 6 month documented diet and exercise, psych eval, nutritionist eval. I'm scheduled to see my primary doctor tomorrow...I don't have much of a relationship with him (I saw him for a sinus infection 2 years ago and have only been living here in this area 2 years). I'm afraid he will try to balk at helping me, talk me out of it, etc. I'm just so tired of being fat. I want his cooperation on getting the 6 month show on the road, so to speak. Anyone else have this experience??

5'2; 212 lbs.

I am in the same boat as you. I have the same insurance and have done the nutritionist, psych eval., etc. Now I am waiting to hear what the insurance says. I have been waiting for years for this and have changed so much since I have begun....I hope that it goes smoothly! Good luck to you and keep me posted!

I'm waiting to see if my insurance company United Health Care will approve me and every time I think about it my stomach just turns. I'm so, so nervous and afraid they will say no. Even if they say no the first time I think I could get them to approve it on appeal but I really want a no hassles quick approval.

My UHC doesn't have many requirements so I'm hoping I'll slide right through with my high blood pressure and sleep apnea.

How in the world do you get through this part? It's absolutely nerve wracking to me.

i'm waiting also and just like you its driving me nuts:cursing:we have come this far and it took a while,waiting a little more is aprt of the joiurney i guess.keep your chin up it will happen sooner then you think

So just received the bad news about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I was denied, my insurance company stated that I haven't had the BMI of over 40 for the past 3 years, along with that because its not documented with my doctor that I Have been trying to lose weight for the past 2 years. The office manager at the surgeons office stated that this is where we being to fit. I fit all the co-morbid qualifications, etc. it's this stipulation in my policy. I am in the process of writing an appeal letter, having a co-worker of mine write a letter stating that she gave me the info for different diets that she was on. She was able to afford to go to the programs, unfortunately I wasn't able to afford it but able to follow them.I've left a message for my PCP to call me to see if she can write a letter and state that she feels it's medically necessary for me to have this procedure done. I've also been able to obtain copies of the past 2 years gym contracts to submit for review. Any other suggestions?

I too am playing the waiting game! I have BC/BS of Nebraska. They show that it was received on September 24, 2010 and according to them it could take up to fourteen days. I hope it doesnt take that long, like the rest of you I am sick to my stomach everyday waiting for the news. Any advice of finding out the determination early or do you just wait for a call from the doctor or a letter from the insurance company??

Congrats to all who have been approved!! and Good Luck to those who are waiting.

Kim

I was approved through Aetna today. Scheduled for November 9th!