I have blue cross blue shield federal insurance and I am required to do a three month weight loss plan with a physician and a psychiatric evaluation. After I have completed all of this and the doctor submits the paperwork to the insurance for approval and the insurance approves it, how long can I wait after approval to schedule surgery without having to redo all of the requirements.

Ok, I have been on pins and needles. The BCBS Fed received all my paperwork the other day. I am trying to get this surgery done while I am in between jobs. Suppose to start my new job on 4 Nov. My surgical office won't even discuss a date until I get my insurance co to do the preapproval.

Ok' date=' I have been on pins and needles. The BCBS Fed received all my paperwork the other day. I am trying to get this surgery done while I am in between jobs. Suppose to start my new job on 4 Nov. My surgical office won't even discuss a date until I get my insurance co to do the preapproval.[/quote']

I called fed bcbs today. They received my paperwork yesterday. They said turn around time is 15 days for approval. But usually less time. They encouraged me to call back at anytime to check on the status.

I called fed bcbs today. They received my paperwork yesterday. They said turn around time is 15 days for approval. But usually less time. They encouraged me to call back at anytime to check on the status.

I have seen multiple people on here say that they were approved in a couple days. I plan to call back Monday (if they are open) and check on things. With the shutdown going on it looking like it might take them awhile to get my clearance upgraded, so I might have more time to do this.

I asked if the shutdown was affecting the approval process and they said no. Monday is Columbus Day so they may be closed.

I understand working around work. I wanted October so that I could be back before the full holiday seasons hit. I am a postal employee and didn't want problems because I took off during that time. I also have to be out of work for 5 weeks, because my job involves heavy lifting. Also, if I had put off in January or later, in February we have mail count and I could lose a lot of pay (til the next count in a year) if I am out during the count. I realized if I didn't do it by the 1st of November, then I was looking at March. My insurance company swapped surgeons on me and I did not find out until I was approved. Kaiser hired a surgeon on staff. I could have fought it - but I would have missed that window of having the surgery when I wanted the surgery and for me that could have cost me 5 months. Point I'm making is we know what we have going on in our lives and when we can take it on. You have to do what is best for you and your family. It will work out. Best wishes.

Mine was submitted during the shutdown and still only took 1 day. I would call on Monday and ask.

I asked if the shutdown was affecting the approval process and they said no. Monday is Columbus Day so they may be closed.

I knew the shut down wouldn't affect getting approved. But the shut down is effecting my start date for my new job. I was RIFed on 30 Sept for a job with the Dept of the Army and through PPP was placed in another job with DoD. They are having to upgrade my clearance to start this new job and are not sure if they can get me approved for an interm clearance in the meantime. I know I won't start till 4 Nov at the earliest, but would need to be ready to start any day after that.

That makes sense. Hope it all works out for you.

Just a quick follow up - it took BCBS fed 2 days to get my paperwork loaded in their system and 24 hrs to approve it. Surgery date set.

I have bcbs it was loaded into their system around 3 PM yesterday...I called this morning and I had a verbal approval n approval #....I'm just waiting for the letter...but the insurance coordinator is moving forward with waft she has already...hopefully, you will hear something soon

When I got my approval letter it was good for 6 months.

When I talked to bcbs today they said it was still waiting for an RN to look at it. It was submitted on the 10th. I wonder if it has been loaded into the system. They said they had 15 calendar days to make a decision.