Hello! Is anyone familiar with bcbs anthem of Cali? My insurance coordinator just faxed in paper work, just wondering how long will it take for approval? Super anxious...can't wait to start my new life...

they should get back to you within 5 business days. That is what they told me when I would call to check in Good luck!

I have BCBS of California and my paperwork was submited on a Thursday and I received approval the next Monday!! I was surprised at how fast the process was.

Thanks jayedee, did they send u a letter or call u?

Congrats chamcg! I'm just scared if I get denied, I do have a bmi of 44 but no other health issues...so I cross my fingers

Make sure that you get a reference number from Anthem from your doctor when they submit the application. I just went through craziness as my doctor's office is totally incompetent. Once the forms were properly submitted I called with my reference number and was able to get an answer within 10 days. Since you have a BMI over 40 you will be approved as long as you have jumped through all the hoops - psych eval, nutritionist, physical exam, evidence of past weight loss failures. I was only denied because they calculated my BMI different than my surgeons office and I fell below the "yellow line" by a few pounds.

This is my insurance company but I remember it was a few weeks before I got a letter. I probably had the approval but didn't think to call!

Robin, I'm sorry u were denied..r u going to appeal it or self pay. If i get denied I will self Pay, I didn't have to do a 6 month nutrition evaluation, but did have to go through hoops. Heart clearance,psychological evaluation, nessicity letter from Dr, clearance letter from primary Dr. I started Jan 1st, finally completed now. I wanted to self pay in the beginning cause I didn't want to wait, but insurance coordinator wanted me to go through insurance first...so here I am waiting patiently..I've been fat all my life , why not be fat a few months longer

@Letsdothis- I am not sure what I am planning on doing. I really would like my surgeons office to fix it as they are the ones that submitted the incorrect weight for me. They also didn't submit the paperwork properly and I have had to follow up with them on a weekly basis for the past 10 weeks. I might just go to Mexico for my surgery.

I doubt you will have the same issue as me. As long as your policy (set by your employer) includes a WLS benefit I think you will be just fine. Just keep following up with your doctor's office and you will be good. BTW- where in California are you? Is your doctor affiliated with a Bariatric Center of Excellence?

I called and had the approval in 5 days. I think it took another week for the letter to come.

My surgeons office filed everything with no issues. Dont worry, I had a bmi of 41 with no health issues so you should be approved. They didn't even ask me for any weight loss attempts or weight history.

Thank you everyone for your comments. Appreciate the help, I actually live in Michigan but my insurance is Cali ..

So I was denied cause the insurance entered the wrong info, it was supposed to be outpatient but instead they put down inpatient, so we had to resubmit again...hopefully it will get approved by Friday since that was the only reason.