Hello! I am new here (1st post) and will be going in for my 6th month appt next week, only to find out that bcbs took that requirement away? I did lose about 18lbs so I guess thats a good thing? I have an H M O so I need a referral to a bariatric surgeon from my PCP. I've seen a nutritionist already, in my 1-2 months. Is there anyone that might know the timeframe in which I can get in to see a surgeon and also what else i have to do?My insurance will most likely change by November, (relocatuon out of state) so I was hoping to get the surgery done by then... PleaseAdvise!

I have BCBS IL too - and yes - the wait is gone - BUT - you have to go to your PCP and see what their requirements are - I’m with DuPage Medical group and they DO have a 6mo wait (dietician, see your PCP, blah blah blah) so ask your primary first.

I just went ahead and decided to finish my last appt and then take it from there. That appt is on Monday. I'm hoping to get my referral appt in ASAP and get the ball rolling.

I really only know about my situation - but what they told me is that the administrator (in my case dupage med group) can be stricter and have tougher restrictions. I can’t wait to get my approval to see the surgeon!

Under normal l circumstances you should be able to see a surgeon in a week or two depending on if you can find one who can fit you in.

Medical groups are paid and rewarded to keep their costs low. If they know you're moving they will probably make it difficult to accomplish your goal by November. But, if you do move, who will fill you? That can be a difficult hurdle in some parts of the country? Having had surgery already, and knowing what I know, I'd be very careful about having this surgery if I was moving. It would depend on where I moved and if there are docs there who will advise and fill me?

Post surgical care is as important or more than the surgery itself. Of course, you want a competent surgeon but after surgery is very very important.

tmf

TMF - thanks for the feedback. I didn't think about it from that angle and now that I have, coming back to IL for fills wouldn't be an issue and the insurance would be changed to a PPO so I don't anticipate that to be a problem. The surgery is 100% now, with my current policy with the exception of my co-pay for the hospital visit, depending on how they code it. I was just hoping that I could get the surgery done before the move...

Wow this is great news to hear. I am in the process of my 6 mo program. I am calling the surgeon tomorrow to talk about hopefully upping the surgery date. I am also a BCBS *** user. I have the option to change to a PPO in November. Anyone have any idea if that would be a good idea or should I just stay with my ***? Hopefully I won't have to wait til January like I was going to have to do! Thanks everyone!!