I was submitted to BCBS of IL yesterday morning! I called this morning to verify they received it, but how long does it normally take for people to hear back?? I'm trying to push the place I'm having the surgery at to schedule me ASAP so I can have it done this summer! So excited to get this process going. So nervous ill get denied though :-(

Found out I was approved on Tuesday!! Still waiting to hear from someone about scheduling!!

Found out I was approved on Tuesday!! Still waiting to hear from someone about scheduling!!

Sorry I didnt see your questions til now, I'll still answer in case anyone else wants to know... The way my surgeon did it was to schedule for surgery about a month out, submit the paperwork and wait for approval. I called bcbs to check status and they approved 2 days later, so my surgery went ahead as scheduled.... congrats on your approval!! I hope you can get scheduled soon!!

I have BCBSIL PPO. My forms were submitted yesterday and I was approved this afternoon.

I still have the psych exam but my doctor didn't want me to get stuck with the deductible unless they were going to approve. So just over 24 hours for approval.

I'm surprised they approved without the psych eval...

It is called a conditional approval. From reading the boards, it seems a common thing. I thought it was very considerate of the surgeon to not send me for the eval until it was approved. Saves you the deductible in case there is an issue.

I hope to knock out the eval next week and then have the surgery in the beginning of July.

Thank u and I hope u get tht date soon as well. Keepe posted...

Is everyone using the Blue Distinction Centers of BCBS. I was told they were recommended but not required, am I correct?

Is everyone using the Blue Distinction Centers of BCBS. I was told they were recommended but not required' date=' am I correct?[/quote']

I am using a Blue Distinction Center, I don't think it's required, I just felt it would give me an edge approval-wise.

I am not. My doctor is Dr. Hoeltgen (Barrington Surgeons) through Good Shepard Hospital. I think the process would move a bit quicker at the all in one centers but a couple extra weeks isn't that bad, overall.

It used to be ( at least with federal) that you could use any hospital you wanted to but they paid at a higher reimbursement rate at at hospital of excellence. So check your co-pays

Does anyone know if BCBS-IL PPO requires the primary physician to write a letter of medical necessity? I didn't see it on the requirements but someone replied to one of my questions and they said they had to have one?

It depends on your individual plan. When I was on the ***, it would have required the letter. With my current plan, the PPO, I did not need a letter. It might vary based on your company though.

Thanks for the reply

I just re-read the PPO plan for BCBS-IL and it is not listed as a requirement. However I did not see a Nutritionist listed as a requirement either, or does the surgeon send you to one for the meal/eating portion that BCBS list as a requirement of the surgeon?

I do not need to see a nutritionist. I just have my psych eval today (which I still think is stupid) and thats about it.

No I also have bcbs ppo I did not have to have a letter. I only needed my PCM to fill out a referral form