I have BCBS Federal. While I've never had a problem with them ... I've never needed surgery authorization though them. I'm just wondering if anyone has them, and what the experience was with the authorization and hospital/Anesthesia costs, etc.

Thanks so much.

I have BCBS Federal and was just banded 12/23/11. I started the process back in June and had to do 4 months monitored weight loss program, 2 nutrition consultations, 2 year history of obesity (one chart note from PCP for the previous 2 yrs with a BMI of >35, and a letter from PCP stating I had not smoked in 6 months or been treated for substance abuse in a year. Those were the insurance requirements......I also had to do EKG, a lung function test, blood work, a sleep study, and have a letter from my endocrinologist and adjustment of my insulin pump for surgery. BCBS took about 30 days to approve. I haven't seen any explanation of benefits yet...so I can't really speak for the hospita/anesthesia costs.

Good Luck.

OMG that sounds like a LOT!!!!!! They told me I needed 3 months of monitored diet history. They said nothing about an EKG or letter from the doc about me not smoking. No sleep study or anything else. SHEESH. Thanks for the information

i have BCBS fed 2! i had a 3 mnth pre approval process. i had to see the surgeon and a nutritionist montlhy x 3 mnths, had to see a psychtriatrist once. i had to get recommendation letter from my primary care doctor. this has kept me very busy over the last few months. after getting all this done, it took BCBS about 4 weeks to approve my surgery (some of that time was due to holidays im sure). then i had to get a stress test and pulmonary function test and chest xray per the surgeon to be cleared for surgery. just look at it as hoops to jump through but it will be worth it. some insurances require 6 mnth pre-approval so i was just glad to only have 3mnths! good luck!

I have BCBS Fed. I had to have 3 months doctor supervised diet, a psych consult and see a nutrisionist. My information was sent to BCBS on Jan 25, it was reviewed by the nurse at BCBS on Jan 31 and I was approved on Feb 2! I also had to provide documentation of being over weight and I dont have a PCP so my Ob-gyn sent in the sheet from my chart that showed my previous weight. It was fairly simple. If you have any specific questions feel free to inbox me or email me at sherrellechols@gmail.com. Hope this helps.

I had BCBS Fed when I had my surgery. I was required to have 3 months of supervised dieting. I submitted my former PCP's office notes from when I was on phentermine two years before and they accepted them. I also had to have a psych consult.

My surgeon submitted my paperwork to BCBS and I was approved three business days later.

WOW! It looks like BCBS Fed covers all ranges, 3 days to 4 weeks for approval.

Well my surgeon's office is "swamped" with insurance authorization requests to send out. My appt was Jan 24 and they havent sent my stuff to BCBS yet so .... I'm waiting for them to catch up. I guess I'll call at the end of next week and hope to know something from BCBS Fed sometime in March or earlier.

Well .... they submited my paperwork on Monday and called me back yesterday saying I was approved .... 2 day turn around isnt as bad as I thought ..... now I have that feeling where you're approaching the top of a roller coaster about to rush down .... yikes!

Hey sunshyne068 I'm so happy for you!!! we are almost on the banded side!! my surgery is Monday Feb 20th and I am as nervous as can be!!!

OHHHHHH congrats Rell!!!! Where are you located? Please update the forum when you recover and let us know how the surgery went! How are you doing on the liquid diet? How much have you lost!

Thanks!! I am located in Georgia. I will definitely update everyone on my progress. I didn't have to do a liquid diet just a protien sparing modified fast for 10 days. I have lost 20 Lbs so far!

GREATNESSSSSS!!!! I start my liquid diet on the 25th

I saved your email address. Mine is info@sydneywyatt.com

Do you have FB? My name is "Sunny Lumpkins" and FB and my email associated with it is sunshyne068@yahoo.com - add me as a friend and I'll make sure you to check on next week. GOOD LUCK!!!!

I have Federal BCBS. I had to have 3 months of nutritional counseling, proof of 1 year attempted weight loss, diagnosis of morbid obesity for 2 years prior to surgery and a mental health exam. So far I have had 2 appts with the nutritionist and I have lost 5 lbs following her diet. I have one more appt with her on 3/12/12. The psychiatrist I seen for the mental health exam spreads it out over two appts. My final appt with her is 3/12/12 as well. As soon as the nutritonist and psychiatrist submit their documentation to my surgeon they will then submit it to BCBS. Fingers crossed that it is approved quickly! Lisa, from my surgeons office, says that based on documentation from my PCP that everything looks good and she doesn't forsee any problems with approval. I also submitted a letter from my personal trainer. I'm ready to get this show on the road! However, I am dreading the 10 day liquid pre-op diet... BCBS has up to 30 days to review but it sure would be wonderful if they get it done in a week or less...

I to had bcbs federal and it only took them 3 days to approve me once all my information was submitted to the nurse at bcbs fed.

I to had bcbs federal and it only took them 3 days to approve me once all my information was submitted to the nurse at bcbs fed.

Hey Rell how are you doing, post band???? how do you feel? are you in pain?

Hey Sunshyne, I'm great and yes I'm post op! I feel great!! it wasn't as bad as I thought... the first few day were kinda hard....soreness and shoulder pain, I'm guessing that was the gas. Day 6 and 7 I felt as though I hadn't had surgery...it felt like I had dreamt it! lol Today makes a week and three days since surgery and it's awesome!

How are you?? when are you having surgery?