Does anyone on here have BCBS Federal of South Carolina that has been approved for sugery? If so, was it a difficult process? Did you get approved on the first try?

Thanks so much!!

Keeping my fingers crossed for you Ashley.

Submitted today... We now wait......

Any word yet Ash??

Dang BCBS dont even have it in the system yet!! I will call back on monday!

Hi,

just thought I would pop in and update anyone who is trying to find an answer from HIGHMARK BLUE CROSS BLUE SHEILD ADMINISTRATOR FOR

Alcoa plant in Ferndale Wa.

I just got the big answer that in order to apply for the insurance, I would have to meet all the comorbidities (no problem) be over 50 bmi for the VSG, (no problem) ...AND a 6 month Dr, assisted monitored diet to prove how I lose weight!!

Now, does it make sense they just payed 42.000 to replace my right hip due to osteoarthritis and if I don't get the weight off quickly, will end up having to

do my left hip too?

I can't beleive that none of the weight loss from Jenny Craig, weight watchers, nutrition center etc. count towards proof!

If I was an alcoholic, drug addict, they would spend thousands helping with that issue.

If I wanted viagra, yep they would cover that....

Hummmmm, guess that's how it goes!!

So??? Any word yet Ashley???

@AKMama.... Yes, I was approved for the sleeve on the first try. Last year they were denying people left and right but did approve on appeals, but this year, since it's no longer considered experimental, they are more willing to approve you, as long as you have ALL of their requirements covered. You see, I thought I would be denied on my first try because I didnt have a BMI of 40 or more for longer than 2 consectutive years. I actually gainned weight in order to qualify for this surgery. But since I was between a BMI of 36-38 they considered that obses and approved me. Mind you, I had to do the 3 month supervised diet and all the other requirements too though.

Thanks for the information, I am in Alaska and no one up here even does the Sleeve procedure. So I am going down to Washington to Puget Sound Medical Center. I keep a BMI of around 40 to 41. I have sleep Apnea, bad knees, borderline high Blood Pressure and my feet look like sausages. So I'm hoping that they will accept me. So how do you get away with 3 months diet and not 6months? Do most get their Dr. first or get approved by the insurance?

Thanks again,

Lara

My insurance plan only required a 3 month supervised diet!! Thank goodness! As for the process, you'll need to find a bariatric doctor who's in your network in Washington, then make your appointments with him first. Once you've done the supervised diet, whether it be 3 or 6 months, then they forward all your paperwork to your insurance company for approval. They compile all the documentation, but remember, you'll need 2 years of proof (medical records) that you've been 35+ BMI for those 2 years.

So??? Any word yet Ashley???

APPROVED!!!!! SURGERY ON JULY 8th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doing a jazzy happy dance for you! Congratulations!!!

ASHLEY!!!!! YOU DID IT!!! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! WOW... JULY 8TH? THAT'S JUST AROUND THE CORNER!!!!!! OMG, so so so Happy for you!!!!!!

I'm sooo happy for you Ashley!!!!

I have BCBS-Fed n Ca and I was approved on the first try!!! It took only 3days for them to approve me with a BMI of 41.7

Thank you for sharing about yor BCBS-Fed approval. 3 days...that's awesome!!

Wow congradulations, only 3 days. I am wondering now if it will ever happen for me.

Way to go Ashley!!! I wish you the best of luck.