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

BCBS Illinois



Recommended Posts

I am really confused by all this,, I have BCBS of IL and I submitted last August and was approved right away with NO diet????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am really confused by all this,, I have BCBS of IL and I submitted last August and was approved right away with NO diet????

It's because your policy is different than theirs.. It's not the insurance company, or even the STATE of BCBS.. The requirements are SOLELY decided upon by your employer.. If your employer didn't require any hoops for you to go thru, then you don't have to.. If your employer wants employees to have a 6 month diet, then it will be required... I have BCBS, and my husband's employer only requires a BMI over 40...

What a lot of people don't realize is that the EMPLOYER makes the plan (in most cases), and the insurance company is just there to enforce the plan... But more often than not, the plan is chosen by the employer..

Hope this clears it up some :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Do you think a NP at the drs office is OK? It doesn't even specify a DR in my medical policy I printed online. It just says documentation of active paritipation in a comprehensive, non surgical program of weight reduction for at least 6 months.

Good point.. Usually plans will state "physician" supervised diet... Since yours is so vague, I would clarify with your insurance company... I'd hate for you to do all these weigh ins with an NP only to be denied...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good point.. Usually plans will state "physician" supervised diet... Since yours is so vague, I would clarify with your insurance company... I'd hate for you to do all these weigh ins with an NP only to be denied...

Ya me too! I think I will call them tomorrow before I go to my appt Monday! Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's because your policy is different than theirs.. It's not the insurance company, or even the STATE of BCBS.. The requirements are SOLELY decided upon by your employer.. If your employer didn't require any hoops for you to go thru, then you don't have to.. If your employer wants employees to have a 6 month diet, then it will be required... I have BCBS, and my husband's employer only requires a BMI over 40...

What a lot of people don't realize is that the EMPLOYER makes the plan (in most cases), and the insurance company is just there to enforce the plan... But more often than not, the plan is chosen by the employer..

Hope this clears it up some :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's because your policy is different than theirs.. It's not the insurance company, or even the STATE of BCBS.. The requirements are SOLELY decided upon by your employer.. If your employer didn't require any hoops for you to go thru, then you don't have to.. If your employer wants employees to have a 6 month diet, then it will be required... I have BCBS, and my husband's employer only requires a BMI over 40...

What a lot of people don't realize is that the EMPLOYER makes the plan (in most cases), and the insurance company is just there to enforce the plan... But more often than not, the plan is chosen by the employer..

Hope this clears it up some :)

This explains so much... I am guessing since my husbands employer administers claims for BCBS I was just plain lucky.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This explains so much... I am guessing since my husbands employer administers claims for BCBS I was just plain lucky.

VERY lucky!! I hope I am just as lucky... My surgeon should be submitting my info soon

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok so I got the "official" denial letter today :( I knew it was coming because I had talked to them on the phone... I just called them back because the reason I was denied was the 6 months vs 3 months. I did find a weigh in book from 2009, but that isn't enough documentation because they need a medical professionals notes & signature!! I am bummed because i really want to get this done this spring... oh well. I guess waiting to re-submit till June isn't the end of the world, but it will cost me another $1000 in deductible (resets June 1, go figure) I am just so nervous that I won't get approved at all!!

Anyone else in the same boat??

Glenna

ps... I am going to write a letter to submit & see if my PCP will send one too, I figure I have until June I might as well send as much info as I can....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok so I got the "official" denial letter today :( I knew it was coming because I had talked to them on the phone... I just called them back because the reason I was denied was the 6 months vs 3 months. I did find a weigh in book from 2009, but that isn't enough documentation because they need a medical professionals notes & signature!! I am bummed because i really want to get this done this spring... oh well. I guess waiting to re-submit till June isn't the end of the world, but it will cost me another $1000 in deductible (resets June 1, go figure) I am just so nervous that I won't get approved at all!!

Anyone else in the same boat??

Glenna

ps... I am going to write a letter to submit & see if my PCP will send one too, I figure I have until June I might as well send as much info as I can....

I'm sorry, that totally sucks! I know when you want something so bad and you are just left waiting and waiting it isn't fun at all. I just went to my dr today and didn't come in at the 40 BMI because the nurse measured me a half inch more than I had measured myself at home! I'm right at the borderline of 40 so I had my weight just right for my height ration and she went and screwed it up! Now I have to gain a few lbs to match the weight! SO bummed! I thought today would be the start of my 6 LONG months!!! SO, I know how it feels to be in limbo and just waiting! Keep your chin up June will come faster than you think! Stay positive and look to the future! FB

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just curious - has anyone (besides me) appealed their denial because BCBS of IL switched from the 3 month diet to the 6 month? I'm just wondering if it's just me. Also, I'm hoping that they make their appeal decision faster than the 60 days that they have to decide. Becuase if they wait the entire 60 days, I might as well have not appealed and have just went ahead with the additional 3 months of dieting.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Got my surgery date today. Woo Hoo! April 26th. I can't wait. Keep the faith everyone. It will be your turn soon!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Got my surgery date today. Woo Hoo! April 26th. I can't wait. Keep the faith everyone. It will be your turn soon!

My date is also the 26th. Where are you having surgery? Who is your doctor?

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

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.
  • 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

    ×