Hey has anyone been able to get prior auth form Federal BC/BS? My doctor will not do the surgery without prior auth. Can anyone recomend a surgeon in Arkansas that will do the surgery without prior auth?

dotofoz: thanks for everything, looking at your stats, you are doing great. Broke through the 200 mark - wow, I've been dreaming of that.

I sure did my research too, but you reinforced my findings in a big way.

flowergurl: Do the work when you are ready - it took me a year to really get going on this. Keep us posted when you feel like it...

Yes guys 3 days and counting!!! getting nervous but lots to do this weekend so I'll try to keep busy and not think about it. And yes, I'll let you know how it goes....

MORE than glad to help! Oh, and thanks for the congrats on my weight loss. It hasn't been easy (as you all can attest to). My personal goal is to lose another 46 pounds.....I bought a size 14 pair of capris on clearance (from last year's stock I"m sure), but can't get in them yet (i'm only 4'11" so the fat's compacted). I'm hoping to get into them by August 1, 2007. Keep your chin up, you'll do fine, you just have to stick to what they say. My main advise is do not start solids too early, and chew chew chew chew!

Yep, as of January 2007 Federal BCBS covers Lap Band. I have the page marked in my book, and the online page bookmarked. Obsessive? I have waited for this for several years...finally going through with it! Just waiting for the insurance approval...which I KNOW will come through!

Good luck to all!

I have Blue Cross of Arkansas, I don't belong to a group plan. I am just starting to get all this stuff together for a band. Then last night I got to thinking, what about the hospital part of the bill? Blue Cross told me if I get approved they will pay up to $4,000.00 total. I am wondering if they will pay anything on the hospital part?

Suzzzie: Did you get an actual approval letter or code from BC/BS Federal? This is what has held me back...at the surgeon's seminar...they flat out said they would not accept BC/BS Federal although they are participating, they wanted cash up front b/c insurance will not give pre-approval letters & claims are being denied. This is what has me so discouraged that I just stopped looking into lap-band. DH brought it up again tonight after we saw a commercial...anyway, I've called insurance about 5 times & no body knows what the hell they are talking about...they just read word for word what I read & that it is covered. Tell me how you got an approval please!

SG: How are you feeling? Congrats on the loss so far--you are on the losing side! :drum:

dotofoz: You last posted on the 11th about those size 14s...I bet they fit now. Congrats on your loss--you must feel & look fantastic!

Thanks for asking -

I am feeling much better! Today marks 2 weeks since banding. The swelling is going down and I may get to eat mushies after I see the dr. on Thursday.

I had some painful days and some emotional ones, but I'm on the upswing. And as you said, on the losing side! Hope you all are doing well. Suzzie, do you have a date for surgery?

Dr. Baker did my sgy and my insurance paid within a month. I have the Federal BC/BS

Just read your message and I don't know if you've received the answers you needed. I also have Fed BC/BS and have had no problems with getting my lapband surgery approved and scheduled with Dr Roller's office in Springdale. They pay the physician 90% and the facility 85% and there is no precertification needed since it is not an inpatient procedure. It took me less than 3 months from my 1st visit to my scheduled surgery date which is this coming Monday.

Fed BC/BS was brought up on another thread a few months ago. They do not require pre-certification which should make you extra careful that all your ducks are in a row. You'd hate to have surgery and then after the fact find out you didn't meet their requirements and have to pay out on your hospital bill and surgeon bill. Our office is very strict to make sure all requirements are met before we perform the surgery.

I am scheduled with Dr Luttrell 6/9... Federal BCBS will not pre approve but Dr Luttrell's office said that they screen paitients very good and had never been denied coverage from Fed BCBS

Regarding Fed BC/BS, as we said earlier, as long as your ducks are in a row, they should cover the procedure without any problems.

I've personally met Dr Luttrell at a Lap Band conference last year and got to know him over several days. It was a pleasure to get to know him and he seems like a great guy. We're all cheering you joining the LapBand club! Congratulations on your upcoming surgery!

Thank you Dr. Ron, I am happy to have found this support group.

I did contact your office but I am located about 4 hours away and worried about the drive.

I went to the semiar at Dr. Luttrell's office and feel I have made the right decision for myself.

I have a 41 BMI and a long history of failed diet attempts. Anything can happen but I am going to hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.