I went to my primary care dr and they submitted to my PCP provider for a referal for the lap band surgery. They came back stated that I need 12 month supervised diet. I called and they told me that this can be by passed if my dr. thinks it is nessecary. Is this true. Not to sure what my Dr. submitted because they have never had to do this for anyone. At least that is what they told me.

Can anyone help. Has anyone had problems with BCBS of IL HMO

Thank you

Amber

My doctor said that BCBS is actually harder to get approved then even medicaid!! They said that it used to be 12 months, but that BCBS has been working on making it 6 mos. like the other insurance companies.

They wanted the supervised diet from me too. I have Anthem Kentucky Bc/Bs so I just self paid. I got tired of waiting and jumping through they're insurance hoops. Good luck. Hope you get approved soon.

I heard if you use a preferred Bariatric surgeon and go thru the HMO site that this surgeon is contracted with, then BC/BS is the easiest. I have 2 friends that have BC/BS and both saw Dr. Lehmann and Joyce in Joliet IL. Both had the surgery within 3 months of starting the process.

I had to be on a supervised diet for 12 months and while it really stunk, it also gave me time to really think about what I was doing and how it would change my life. Now, with surgery being 4 weeks away, I'm just anxious.

I had a 12 month diet, too.

I have BCBS of IL PPO and I only am required to have a six month commerically based diet. I used Jenny Craig. Have you asked your dr to by pass that process? Would he/she do that for you? Good luck! My paperwork was submitted this last Friday, hopefully mine goes in with no problems, I had everything they asked for!

I have BCBS of IL PPO and I was told a 6-month medically supervised diet

When I first started, it was a 12 month diet. In the meantime, there have been some changes, but that was after the fact for me.

Yeah Diva - it seems that everyone has something different told to them. I had called the BCBS IL office and they said that it needed to be commerically based for six months, I also pulled up the website and printed off the long manual for the bariatric surgery and it lists everything out for you. Have you already been banded? Did you have any problems with the insurance going through?

Poohlvr, I have not been banded yet...my 1st consultation is 5/16. I am praying and sstepping out on faith that I will not incur any problems w BCBSIL....i want this so bad!!!!

I didn't know you could find the policy on line...I'll have to go poke around. I was going to request a copy directly from them.

Have you heard anything yet? WHen did you submit everything???

I have submitted mine - It was received last Wednesday. They said that it has to go through review and then review by a dr. So - it will take 2-3 weeks. I am praying that it will be sooner though. I want it done before by 5-25 birthday! If you go to bcbsil.com and don't log in - go to procedures - then find surgery for the morbidly obese and then you can print it from there. I am going to go back and try what I typed in, hopefully I got it right! If not I will repost!!! Good luck!

Ok Diva - I was wrong here are the step by step directions to get there - let me know if you can't find it!

Go to bcbsil.com - don't log in

click on the providers tab at the top of the page

then click on medical policies (on the right side of the list)

click on I agree at the bottom

Click on view all active policies

then on page 15 of 18 you will find SURGERY FOR THE MORBIDLY OBESE

and you should be able to view it there! Good Luck! I hope that all goes well and quickly for you!!!