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Federal BCBS

WVLoser

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WVLoser    0

WVLoser
Posted

So I just got home from an informational presentation by my surgeon and she has indicated that unfortunately there is a good chance that my insurance will not cover the VSG. I have Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield. Needless to say I am a bit bummed, I really wanted the VSG due to the fact that I have chronic headaches and take Advil quite a bit - which I will not be able to do with the RNY.

Does anyone else out there have Federal BCBS? Were you able to get approved?

While RNY is not out of the question - I just kind of had my heart set on VSG.:)

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kooterpooters    2

kooterpooters
Posted

My husbands cousin had her sleeved approved through Federal BCbS last year.I think her doctor was Dr.Strickler in Charleston wv.I will ask her and make sure and get back to you on that but she works for the Board of Education so im sure its BCBS federal..

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trouble    0

trouble
Posted

I have BCBS but with State and it did not cover my surgery. They did just approve to start covering WLS but only for the actual employee not spouse or family members. I just got a zero interest credit card and paid for the surgery and hope to pay it off within the year or so.

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WVLoser    0

WVLoser
Posted

Kooter - thanks I would really appreciate that!!!

My husband is in the military so I am assuming it is the same kind of insurance, but I don't know. I'm going to call first thing in the AM. Someone else posted that as long as it's listed as "medically necessary" (duh!!!) then it should get approved. At least hers did.

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lizajane2000    1

lizajane2000
Posted

I have federal BCBS. I am going to have VSG, they told me that it would cover VSG. Also, my friend who is under her husband's plan had Federal BCBS and she underwent VSG. Talk to your insurance company, they will give you more answers.

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iowagirl    0

iowagirl
Posted

Hi WVLoser! I have federal BCBS Basic (administered by Wellmark Iowa) and they approved my VSG upon first submission and within about 2 weeks. I will be having surgery on September 1st. PM me with any questions! Good Luck!

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branc1    2

branc1
Posted

I have it and had no problems whatsoever. When I went to my informational meeting, they told me that BCBS Federal was one of the easiest companies to work with! They have certain things they want: complete physical , psyche report etc. but they approved me for lap band and sleeve. I also think if your primary care writes it up that you are morbidly obese with a high BMI that helps too.

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WVLoser    0

WVLoser
Posted

OMG - just got off the phone with my insurance and the sleeve is listed as an "approved procedure"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAHOOOOOOO!!! Thank you so much to everyone who commented and offered words of advice. What an awesome resource this site has been. I know this is just the beginning of the ups and downs that this roller coaster will provide. Next step - all of the inital testing to get formally approved!

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kooterpooters    2

kooterpooters
Posted

SORRY.I just got back to you..I JUST FOUND out Federal was approving too by my Dr.Office so that is great news..Keep us updated...I totally forgot to get back with you on that.SO happy for you..I think they recently just started approving it.WHO IS YOUR doctor?

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WVLoser    0

WVLoser
Posted

Dr. Carol McCloskey - Magee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh. They are suppose tocall this week so there is a chance I might get in to see her soon. I hope so ~ I would love to have a November surgery date!!! How are things progressing with you? Meet with the surgeon yet, date yet???

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vandy123    0

vandy123
Posted

I have federal bcbs and I have been approved for a band to sleve revision 9/14 in Nashville. No problem to get approved and a date w/in a week.

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branc1    2

branc1
Posted (edited)

I'm having mine in Murfreesboro 9/1. I work for the M'boro VA. Who do you work for and where are you having your surgery? (Vanderbilt? LOL)

Edited by branc1

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lizajane2000    1

lizajane2000
Posted

Hey Branc1 - I work for the VA in Poplar Bluff, MO. I am supposed to be called in a couple of days to get a tentative surgery date. I can't wait. Good luck on your up in coming surgery.

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Dansha    16

Dansha
Posted

I have Federal BCBS of Kansas City. From the informational seminar until approval took me about 3 months. I had a psych eval, met with a dietician, physical therapist and had a EGD in that time frame. Once I got my approval, was surgery was scheduled for 3 weeks later. Two weeks before surgery I had lab work, EKG, and chest X-ray in the same day. Please keep in mind my surgeon is very much in demand and I think that's why it took so long. Because we all know once we go to a seminar and have made up our minds that the sleeve is what we want...... we want it NOW.

Good luck to all and best wishes!!!! :wave:

Deb

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Go To Topic Listing Tell Your Weight Loss Surgery Story

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    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KimBaxleyWilson

      KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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