My doctor referred me to a surgeon. When I signed up for the seminar with the surgeons office they said because of my insurance, Blue Shield HMO Sante, I would have to do a 6-month weight management program before they would see me and I can still go to the seminar because its good for a year. But then I got a letter from Sante stating my medical file had been reviewed and it was approved form me to see the surgeon. I've called Sante and they said I can make the appt. I called Blue Shield they said I have to do the 6-month weight management program. i called my GP's office and asked them to make the appt, but I don't want to go and find out that is was just for them to tell me I have to do the 6 month program, which I will start on the 7th. Has anyone else gone thru this? Any advice? should I call the surgeons office back and ask them-they deal with insurance all the time. :biggrin:

I have BCBS and I didn't have to do a 6 month supervised diet. I saw my primary doctor for my annual visit on 5/11/10...upset with my weight gain over the past year. I went to 3 seminars (various doctors) within a week. I met my surgeon on 6/2/10 (consult) and had my surgery on 8/16/10; 2 months and 2 weeks from once I decided on my surgeon.

Maybe you can ask that they submit the paperwork and see what happens. I know my doctor's office submitted my paperwork on a Monday and they received word that I was approved the next day for surgery within 5 days. I asked them to push my date back because I wanted to met with the dietrician one last time and get some things squared away at work.

Good luck!

Thanks for sharing.

I called the surgeon's office back and told them about the letter from Sante...they didn't care. They said I would still have to do the 6-month supervised diet, based on the insurance that I have. When you say your doctor's office submitted the paperwork and got approval in 5 days, do you mean your surgeon office? I can't get the surgeon to even make an appt to try.

But I've had to see my GP last month and this month for other reasons and she's like..fine we'll start your supervised diet from Aug. but I still have to wait til Jan.

I'm sure I can wait, but my insurance will be changing soon and i was hoping to get it all approved now.

Thanks again.

How are things going for you?