Hi all,

I am wondering what the process was like for any of you that had Anthem Blue Cross as an insurance company for your banding. How long did it take for approval? Any special hoops to go through?

I just had my first consultation Saturday and they are submitting everything to my insurance. I am at a BMI of 39.4, overweight 7 plus years, pre diabetic and I don't have a thyroid anymore. I am beginning my sleep studies and endoscopy tests this weekend.

Any comments are appreaciated!!!

I do have bcbs illinois I had to jump through the hoop of a 6 mos education dietican phone calls from carewise but that was due to my employer not bcbs. They was easy once i did that i got approved in days. I have my surgery tomorrow. Good luck!

I should mention I am in California!

I do have bcbs illinois I had to jump through the hoop of a 6 mos education dietican phone calls from carewise but that was due to my employer not bcbs. They was easy once i did that i got approved in days. I have my surgery tomorrow. Good luck!

Good luck!! I have my sleep study Friday and my endoscopy Saturday!!

I had Anthem Blue Cross PPO and I was approved in about a week. My doctor however required that I loose 10% body weight so that took a while.

I have Anthem BCBS under the Kroger national plan. From orientation to surgery, the wait was about two months. Approval took two weeks. I was not required to do any supervised diet. I had to submit a list of what diets (ie Weight Watchers) I had done, the year done, and approx weight loss (the last two were more estimates).

I did have to be above 40 bmi without comorbidities or above 35 bmi with 2+ comorbidities.