Does anyone know how the long approval process of bcbs il with a ppo is? Is there extra criteria?

Hello, I am new here and have bcbsil and need to find a place to have the surgery that my insurance covers. I had an appt. in Herrin, Il. but had to cancel because they are not in my ppo network. Does anyone know the ones in Illinois? I live in southern Illinois.

Hi dotdot, check out the bcbsil website. They have the bcbs centers of distinction for bariatric surgery page. This is where I found my surgeon.

ok, thanks. Can anyone tell me who they chose in Illinois? Any referrals?

I'm in the Chicago area and my surgeon is Dr. Kane with the Kane Center, I received lots of good referrals to them. If you can't get a local referral I would start with a center of distinction, it makes the approval process easier. I would suggest going to seminars of the various surgeons.

thanks

ok, thanks. Can anyone tell me who they chose in Illinois? Any referrals?

http://www.bcbs.com/why-bcbs/blue-distinction/blue-distinction-bariatric/bluedistinctionbariatric.pdf

that's a list of approved providers, and I just realized Rush University (where my surgery is happening) isn't on that list. Uh oh. Better make some calls tomorrow...

Here's the list:

Centegra Hospital Woodstock Woodstock

Little Company of Mary Evergreen Park

Memorial Medical Center Springfield

NorthShore University HealthSystem Evanston

Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago

Silver Cross Hospital New Lenox

St Alexius Medical Center Hoffman Estates

University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago

University of Illinois Medical Center Chicago

thanks for the info, but I know some that aren't on the list and are still approved like Illinois Bariatric Center in Champaign with Dr. Sidney Rohrscheib. When I called bcbsil they said they are listed under general surgeons, I just need to look them up and see if they are bariatric because they don't list them as being that. And not all Bariatric centers that are in our ppo are listed in their "blue distinction of bariatric centers" I don't know why they make it so hard for us to find them, they should just list them as that. Thanks for all your help.

I am cin Peotone, and am going to Silver cross in New Lenox. Insurance approval was easier than pulmonary approval. I had to use a cpap machine for a month, without Much explanation f why I needed it, but it was all worth it! Best of luck!

I have BCBS of IL PPO. Went to my provider today (Vanderbilt Center for Surgical Weight Loss in Nashville). Will be submitted tomorrow. I just had to do a Nutristionist visit, letter from my PCP and Psych Eval because my BMI is over 40. Hope to have an answer next week...on pins and needles!

I have the same insurance and I was approved in a week. I found out this past Wednesday!. My process went very quickly since the seminar in February and I'm super excited! April 25th is my date...

I also have BCBS il - after reading this thread cant wait to get the ball rolling!!

Insurance approved!!!!!! Yes!!!!!! Sent on Friday 4/12 - approved today 4/16!!

Congratulations... you have a date?

Not yet. Just let me surgeons office know so just waiting on them to call me

My doctors office will be filing in July so hopefully it won't take long and I can have surgery sometime in August.