How long did it take for insurance approval?

[Khloé 89]

I went to my first surgical consultation last Friday, Feb 1st. As of this Thursday (less than a week after beginning the process) I will have completed all my insurance requirements. I'm curious to see how long it took for insurance approval for you all. I'm excited about keeping the bariatric ball rolling.

[JuliannaJ 83]

Depends on your insurance company...mine was approved before I finished the requirements of my doc....this isn't usually the case but really depends on what insurance you have

[sarahp_newme 29]

Depends what type of insurance you have but usually 2ish weeks. You can call your insurance and keep asking for updates. I did lol they dont no me i didnt care if i bugged them haha i mean its there job right? good luck

[ISleevedIt 379]

It took me 6 months to go through Kaiser's program to get approved.

[Trickyday1 7]

Hi Khloe! Apparently it's different with all insurance companies... My paperwork was submitted on 1/25, and I haven't heard anything so I called BCBS Ohio today; they stated that they have 15 days to respond to precertifications (business days)... darn it! The waiting is the hardest part! I am, like you, ready to get the ball rolling... keeping in touch with this forum and knowing that I'm not alone is helping out tremendously! Stay in touch on here, and best of luck to you! Praying so hard for an early March date.... .

[JLB15 6]

I have blue cross blue shield and they said I had to do Nutrician, behavior, and monthly classes. Then when my program ppl thought I was ready then I was brought up and approved to move forward. I started in August 2012. I was approved by the team in December. Had my surgeons appt in January. Got my insurance papers sent for authorization, got my date February 25th. Got my insurance papers in the mail the other day saying they accepted and now I am just waiting for the big day. So all in all 6 months.

[Gonnabeslim1day 80]

1 week and I had bcbs of Texas good luck

[Khloé 89]

I have Anthem BCBS of California but live in Texas. All insurance required was a nutrition visit, psych eval, and pcp clearance. That'll be done this week and then my surgeons office sends all to the insurance company. I'm hoping for an early March date! Hopefully that isn't too optimistic.

[SweetnCurvy 112]

I went to my first surgical consultation last Friday' date=' Feb 1st. As of this Thursday (less than a week after beginning the process) I will have completed all my insurance requirements. I'm curious to see how long it took for insurance approval for you all. I'm excited about keeping the bariatric ball rolling. [/quote']

I was approved the day of submittal

[debiosbo 36]

I finished everything sent paper work to insurance 1/23/13 got approved 1/25/13 now Surgery 2/6/13 at 12:00 pm it can happen fast my very first meeting the end of October 2013 hope your as lucky

[purplemoonflower123 5]

Surgeon will submit for insurance approval tomorrow. It has been a long 6 months, but I'm glad to have the opportunity to make sure I made the right decision. Now, on to the waiting game. I've been told 3-4 weeks, but my friend with the same insurance said her approval only took 1 week for the lapband. **fingers crossed**

[clmiller64 0]

I started my journey in February of this year. Just last Thursday paperwork for pre-certification was finally sent to Anthem. On Monday, 6/29 I received a "form" letter stating they needed additional clinical information, basic stuff like what meds I'm on. I called the surgeons office who told me they had sent Anthem 56 pages, that included everything being asked for. I called Anthem, who told me "oh, we send that letter to everyone". Like it was a "we received your inquiry, we'll be in touch note", instead of a letter stating my precerticiation is pending. She then said all 56 pages had been received and were on "Nurse Mike's" desk for review, and would take up to 15 days from date of receipt (06/25). I just wonder, is this a stall tactic? Did anyone else receive one of these letters? Why would they send it before even looking at the documentation submitted by insurance. Just feeling frustrated....Candy

[lovingmomof3 20]

I started my journey in February of this year. Just last Thursday paperwork for pre-certification was finally sent to Anthem. On Monday, 6/29 I received a "form" letter stating they needed additional clinical information, basic stuff like what meds I'm on. I called the surgeons office who told me they had sent Anthem 56 pages, that included everything being asked for. I called Anthem, who told me "oh, we send that letter to everyone". Like it was a "we received your inquiry, we'll be in touch note", instead of a letter stating my precerticiation is pending. She then said all 56 pages had been received and were on "Nurse Mike's" desk for review, and would take up to 15 days from date of receipt (06/25). I just wonder, is this a stall tactic? Did anyone else receive one of these letters? Why would they send it before even looking at the documentation submitted by insurance. Just feeling frustrated....Candy

The nurse at my Dr office told me insurance companies do this sometimes because they dont want to pay BUT ur Drs office will get the ok have faith

& keep pushing.

Edited July 2, 2015 by lovingmomof3