I was submitted on July 12 and got my verbal approval July 14 - my surgery is August 8th. If I waited for an approval letter? I would still be waiting! I work for my insurance and a co-worker told me the letters take 10 days to generate - who knows how long in the mail! I still don't have mine! So call your insurance and keep the ball moving - they can give you the approval verbally as soon as it is in their system! Don't wait for the letter - 2 weeks later and I don't have my letter but my surgery is a little over a week away! Glad I didn't wait for the paper confirmation!

Good point, you know I will be calling on August 5th the day after everything is supposedly submitted to make sure it gets there.

I plan on doing the same thing. Give it 24 hrs to receive my paperwork and get things entered and then I will start calling to check daily. I thought about calling twice a day ( once in the morning and once in the evening) but they may be to much, LOL. BTW what insurance company do you have insurance thru?

BCBSIL

I have BCBSIL as well.. I was just emailing my pt. coordinator about how long it takes for approval, when I came across this post.. I will definitely take your advice, as I am hoping to have surgery leading to my holiday break from school (I'm a high school teacher).... Thanks again!!!

I was submitted on July 12 and got my verbal approval July 14 - my surgery is August 8th. If I waited for an approval letter? I would still be waiting! I work for my insurance and a co-worker told me the letters take 10 days to generate - who knows how long in the mail! I still don't have mine! So call your insurance and keep the ball moving - they can give you the approval verbally as soon as it is in their system! Don't wait for the letter - 2 weeks later and I don't have my letter but my surgery is a little over a week away! Glad I didn't wait for the paper confirmation!

I too have BCBSIL. My file was submitted on 8/5/11. I started calling on 8/10/11 and finally on 8/12/11 there was an update that more documentation was needed. I emailed the customer service line to find out exactly what was needed and faxed that over on 8/17/11 and my surgeon's office also faxed the same info on 8/18/11 and the patient coodinator called to explain where to look in the file for the documentation they were looking for. I have been calling every day since 8/19/11 and there is no update. However, I did get confirmation that the file is being reviewed and a response should be received by Friday! Good luck to all!

Oh, Monica!! Keep us posted! I'm submitting to BCBSIL on the 9th, so I love hearing how long everyone else takes! Thanks for the update!!

Monica you must be so anxious! I'm anxious and I haven't even submitted yet. Today is my final visit of the 6 mo physician supv weight loss. I'm going to personally deliver the letter of medical necessity and all other documents from my dr. to the surgeons Patient Insurance Coordinator immediately after (why wait another day for snail mail) if I could I'd deliver it from the surgeon to the insurance company...I'm so ready to get to the next steps and have a date assigned.

Thanks for all of the advice from others. I'll be calling early next week for sure.

Heller, you have no idea how anxious I am! I am jumping out of my skin waiting for a response. I delivered my paperwork to the surgeon's office too. Then it took them almost a week to submit to insurance.

Soon2BMiniMommy, wait 3 days then start calling. The paperwork goes into a queue line and they are taken in the order received. All of the customer service people I have talked to says they like to get a determination within 7-10 business days after receiving the information.

As of this morning I still don't have an update but I will be calling again later this afternoon

It is true it is worked in order received UNLESS you call in and the rep pulls it and routes right then to the department!! I would call the day after the surgeon submits!!

ps. I work for BCBSIL

Can you find my file and approve it

LOL!!! I was gonna get her address and start sending flowers and Protein drinks!!!! LOL... and then ask!!

Can you find my file and approve it

That was going to come after

So I called again this afternoon and the response came thru about an hour before I called....

APPROVED!!!

Now I am waiting for the patient coordinator to call back so we can discuss surgery dates.

Whoooo hooooo, Girl!!! Oh my gosh....SO, SO close!!! Oh, man, I have butterflies in my tummy for you!! :Dancing_wub: Let us know as soon as you know your surgery date!! Oh, I'm so excited for you!!

yeah Monica!!

I wish I could help you guys but my job is actually an International Claims Examiner! Not to mention I am still off from my sleeve - I took the 4 weeks my doctor recommends

You can certainly still send Protein and flowers though!