Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

Hey everyone,

I'm currently in the beginning stages of getting a lap band and I was wanting to know of any issues people have had with BCBS of IL. I've had my initial consultation last week and I have a psych eval, meet with a nutrionist and I get my physical all in one appointment. I was also wanting to know what to expect in this 3 in 1 appointment from everyone I'm going to meet. Thanks!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have bcbs of IL and it was approved pretty quickly on my first try. I do have a couple comorbidities (sleep apnea and blood pressure). Good luck to you getting approved. Are you in the Chicago area?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm from the Peoria area and going to have it done in Champaign if possible. I have a BMI of 44 and have high blood pressure. I heard of them being pretty quick and getting back to people instead of waiting and waiting.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes I was approved pretty fast by my Blue Cross Blue Shield ***. Yes ***. Im very greatful.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was approved by bcbsil, the same day my paperwork was fax over. But I had to wait 3 days for my letter, to get my surgery date.

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That's good to know that they are pretty quick. I figured with it being the beginning of the year, it would go smoothly. I'm currently waiting on psych evaluation results and it should be submitted by the end of the week or next. Did BCBS give ya any problems?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

No problems from bcbsil

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah hopefully everything goes smoothly. When did you get your approval?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had no problems with my bcbshmo. The office was great and sent in everything as they were supposed to! I had to do the 6mo pre-op consultations. When I was done with that I scheduled surgery right then after! My surgery costed almost $22,000 and I only had to pay $50 out of pocket! I couldn't believe it. Now I pay a $30 copay everytime I need a fill :) Good luck!! I am also in IL and had my surgery @ St. James in Chicago Heights, IL.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Ash for the Info!! I'm having my surgery done in Champaign,IL and I am from Peoria,IL. I'm not sure how much mine is going to be but I heard a ball park number around 14000 since the place I'm going through does there surgeries out patiently. My paperwork is submitted to BCBS as of Wednesday this week and now its a waiting game!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

WOW @ashcap. My surgery bill was 41000 her in Chicago. Good thing I was covered 100% and no copayment for the first 4 months for fills.

I received the bill in the mail and said to myself this cost more than having a c-section. My c-section was 33000 4yrs ago. WOW.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Cripes. The total bills submitted to my insurance totaled $50K. Fortunately I had already met my deductible for the year and only had to meet the remainder if my out of pocket max of $2K so I only had to shell out $895 total. Was banded on 12/21/12 and have yet to pay anything for any of my follow ups or bloodwork. I had my surgery at St. Alexis in Hoffman Estates by Dr. Kane jr. From the Kane bariatric center.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in Rockford and was approved twice by bcbsil and they sent a fax back on Tuesday the 16 and I was going to be banded on the 22 the first time it was the day before so best of luck to ya hope all goes well and as planed

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in Rockford and was approved twice by bcbsil and they sent a fax back on Tuesday the 16 and I was going to be banded on the 22 the first time it was the day before so best of luck to ya hope all goes well and as planed

That's pretty awesome Ashley! I got approved in a week after all my appointment's in the past 3 months. I have surgery on May 22nd.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×