Have BCBS IL, and started the six month waiting period last November. In mid-February I learned that as of 2/1 BCBSIL is no longer requiring the waiting period, they just want doctor recommendations. My surgeon's office sent off the paperwork on Friday 3/3 and got the verbal approval TODAY! I can't believe how fast this is happening!

Now just waiting to hear about pre-surgical testing and setting a date. I am SO excited!

Wow, that was FAST!!!! Congrats!!!

How did you hear? Did your doctor tell you or dis you call your insurance? I have BCBS but live in Va. I figured IL stood for Illinois?? Thanks

The surgeon's office got the call and called me. I wasn't going to follow up with BCBSIL until next Monday, I assumed it would take a couple of weeks for approval. Yes, my insurance is from IL because that's where my corporate office is located. I hope you have similar success from your BCBS!

The surgeon's office got the call and called me. I wasn't going to follow up with BCBSIL until next Monday' date=' I assumed it would take a couple of weeks for approval. Yes, my insurance is from IL because that's where my corporate office is located. I hope you have similar success from your BCBS![/quote']

Congrats I have bcbsil as well. I did the 6 month diet and that ended the end of feb. no one knew about the change of policy. My paperwork went in on tuesday so I am holding my breath! Where are you?' I am in ny.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!

Thank you! @Stacey, I'm in Mississippi.

Congrats

Have BCBS IL, and started the six month waiting period last November. In mid-February I learned that as of 2/1 BCBSIL is no longer requiring the waiting period, they just want doctor recommendations. My surgeon's office sent off the paperwork on Friday 3/3 and got the verbal approval TODAY! I can't believe how fast this is happening!

Now just waiting to hear about pre-surgical testing and setting a date. I am SO excited!

You and I have almost the same story! Mid-November is when I started my info seminar and surgical consult. I also have BCBSIL and happened to be on vacation in Orlando and reading this forum as a lurker at the very end of January when I saw a post saying that BCBSIL had removed their requirement. I kind of thought it was a misinformed post or somehow not applicable to me, so I went onto their website and read the policy word for word. Sure enough!! I actually got back to my home in WI on 2/1 and called my surgeons office to let them know; they also validated the new requirements!! So I had to finish up my psych eval, upper GI, wait for those to come back and then off it went to insurance a week ago Friday. Came back two business days later. SO! Surgery date April 19th. EXCITED for myself and for you!!!

Yay Sarah! Keep me posted!

Sent from my iPad using VST

Congrats..

i have BS/BC of NJ and got my approval after alittle over a week.. my surgery is this tuesday

…..

You and I have almost the same story! Mid-November is when I started my info seminar and surgical consult. I also have BCBSIL and happened to be on vacation in Orlando and reading this forum as a lurker at the very end of January when I saw a post saying that BCBSIL had removed their requirement. I kind of thought it was a misinformed post or somehow not applicable to me' date=' so I went onto their website and read the policy word for word. Sure enough!! I actually got back to my home in WI on 2/1 and called my surgeons office to let them know; they also validated the new requirements!! So I had to finish up my psych eval, upper GI, wait for those to come back and then off it went to insurance a week ago Friday. Came back two business days later. SO! Surgery date April 19th. EXCITED for myself and for you!!![/quote']

Congrats. My surgeon sent in for a pre determination of benefits and then for approval? I feel like it is taking forever I did the diet, psych, endoscopy, blood work etc and am still waiting.

Congrats. My surgeon sent in for a pre determination of benefits and then for approval? I feel like it is taking forever I did the diet, psych, endoscopy, blood work etc and am still waiting.

Yeah, I'm not sure why some surgeons do a per-cert of coverage before a pre-auth for approval. I will say that my surgeons office advised us during the info seminar that if we went through the process of all the testing, ie. upper GI, blood labs etc... were performed and it turns out we were ineligible that we would be responsible for all of that stuff, possibly out of pocket. So maybe to avoid all that, they call in to make 100% sure you're eligible for coverage before doing anything? Not sure. But whatever it is that they do, I hope they do it fast for you!!

Yay for you! Getting the approval call is the best!

Surgery scheduled for April 9th! Pre op workup this Wednesday, then surgery clearance from my primary doc and losing 7 more lbs (and keeping it off) before the 9th. Yay!