Paperwork is turned into the insuance company, finally! Started this process 3 years ago, got through consults and psych eval, and everything. Then had a wonderful little suprise roadblock we named Tyler and had to wait to start the process over. Had to start over with new insuance conpany learn all the new requirements which included a 6 month diet documentation required by my employer. Took my doc almost 2 weeks to get that to the insurance lady at my surgeons. I think everything is in order this time and hopefully I am just waiting for approval. But this whole waiting this is driving me nuts! I just really want to be approved. When should I start calling them to find out the status of my claim?? It just got turned in Monday but I have heard BCBS IL sometimes comes back fast but takes awhile to mail it out.

Good luck! Mine was submitted yesterday to BCBSTX, and I'm hoping for a quick turnaround too! Hang in there and try to keep busy

I am with you the waiting is making me mental!!! I am hoping to schedule surgery before classes are back in session in August.

Thanks guys...think Im just gonna start stalking them with phone calls starting monday!

Hi guys I'm in the same boat. My paperwork was submitted to Federal BCBS of Kansas City on Wed. the 14. My insurance case manager at my surgeon's office told to expect a 2 week wait, but Stephany you are right the insurance people would know before your surgeon's office so what not start calling to find out. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!!!

Deb

the amount of time that it takes to give you an answer is located in your subscriber agreement....good luck to all

They told me to expect a 2 week wait. I called them after 1 and it had been denied already. My appeal took about 3 weeks from the time the insurance company recieved it to the day my surgeon's office got the approval. The wait sucks, but once you have an answer either way and can move on to the next step, it gets better.

Grrrr BCBS is doing it on purpose now!! So I called to check on my status today only to have the girl freak me out by saying was was denied because of investigational, oh wait that was in February. Put's me on hold then tells me yes you were denied again but appearantyly they didnt look at my new info or their new policy! So she has sent it back for review with notes as to the new info!!! And I wait some more!

So I finally got my approval yesterday! Hoefully I will be sheduling Mon. For anybody going through BCBS IL here a warning they are denying the VSG for being investigational even though their policy has changed. I had to call them and tell them their own policy had changed. Maybe now that it has been brought to the medical reviewers attention it wont be such a problem any more! Good Luck All!

Yay, that's fantastic! I called yesterday to check my status and so far it seems as if BCBSTX is on the ball with the policy changes, but needed more info, which ended up being my 3 months of a weightloss program. I got that right away, and faxed it myself to BCBS, since it would have taken forever with the Dr.'s office. I'm hoping it won't take more than a day or two more..... maybe I'll be next! And let us know about your date :thumbup1:

Way to go. You have to be on the ball with the insurance companies. I can only imagine how many people out there take no for an answer and don't know they can appeal, or simply lose hope.

I have my date!!! August 30th!!!! oh crap thats fast! they told me on the phone it was going to be a three week diet but I thought it was two so Im gonna have to ask. I think it is based on your starting bmi mine was 50 but I lost 40lbs in my 6 month diet so hopefully that will take me down to two weeks!

I am hoping to hear by the end of this week. The anticipation is causing a few sleepless nights. haha.

Hi Papillon,

I am new to all of this. I have just started the process my first appointment is on the 29th of September. Good luck with your surgery! I too am having Dr. Podakemeni. Do you have BCBS of AZ? That is what I have. My regular doctor stated it wasn't that hard to have them okay things. After your first appointment did it take long to get a surgery date? I have heard a lot of good things about this Doctor. Are you having to do a special diet before going in for surgery? Congratulations as the 13th is fast approaching. Thank you!

Thanks,

Rxsunset