So my surgeon;s office called Blue Shield to get started on the pre-approval process for a surgery date and they told her my Surgeon wasn't covered as she wasn't in the "designated county." (If you live in certain counties, you have to go to very specific surgeons here in Ca. with BS.) HOWEVER, I had done all my homework ahead of time and was already told I was not in that category. LUCKILY, I do all my correspondance with the issurance company vie Email so I have documentation of that conversation.. so they had to admit their mistake (mistake #1.) THEN, we get that clarified and taken care of just in time for them to tell the surgeon that I AM able to go to her BUT because she is an out-of-network provider, the cost will be significantlly more. That would be understandable usually EXCEPT that the Blue Shield Advisor is the one who gave me THAT surgeon's name and contact information when I called to "Find a provider!" (mistake #2) Ridiculous..seriously!! I even logged into my account, looked up the doctor, and PRINTED the page that SHOWED she was on the approved in-service provider list on their website. WOW! All this and I have haven't even STARTED the fight for the actual approval yet. I forsee a loooooonnnngggggg road ahead of me =) LOL

Interesting......I've heard that Blue Shield CA is actually very easy to get approved at. I am switching to them Sept 1st.