As anyone used bcbs for insurance to cover your surgery? Is so, how long did it take for you to get your approval?

Hubby and I have Empire BCBS and actually they verbally approved quicker then UNHC which is my insurance but it was longer to actually get the letter.

Stay on them, I kept in touch with all our doctors and health care providers we have dual insurance and made sure I had copies of all the necessary paper work so no one could come back and say they didn't have something.

Best of luck to you on your journey!

I believe it took appr. 10 days after the dr's assistant submitted it - only because they mailed their response to the doctor's office. You would think they are more high tech than that...

I have Horizon BC/BS and it took 3 weeks for approval.

BCBS Federal took 2 weeks after everything was submitted.

Mine was pretty quick.......8 business days.

3 business days

BCBS Federal denied me at first; I submitted more info and then got the ok in a few days. Good luck!

My particular insurance plan, Blue Options from BCBS of Florida would not

cover any expenses at all. Both my primary and cardiologist were in favor of the surgery and have said it was medically necessary. I guess it just depends on the plan.

I have BCBS in IL and it took 9 days from when it was submitted for it to be approved and that was with the Christmas holiday in there. Good luck to all who are still waiting

For those who have blue cross blue shield.. did they require supervised diets? i know each bcbs plan is different, but i'm just curious as to what certain plans required.

I have HMO Blue Shield in Ca...I first had to show I had attempted different programs and diets then a referral needed to be submitted for me to begin the bariatric program which is a minimum of 6 months and well over 30 classes, seminars, support groups etc. I had Blue Shield mail out their entire section on bariatric surgery/program. This may not be the same plan you are under of course. One of my docs said it's the HMO's way of making things very difficult so they are hoping patients will drop out because of the huge commitment. Sure enough after my first session of classes over half dropped out. But someone told me the time flies by and it really does. Even though it's a 3 hour round trip at least once a week I was beyond determined and I exit next week. Hang in there...ask for them to send you their policy in writing...the online one they have is not as thorough. Be your own best advocate. You sound like a determined person you'll do great!

I have BCBSFL FEP and they only required 3 mos of supervised weight loss, proof you tried other methods unsuccessfully to lose weight and a psychological evaluation,etc. Approval only took two weeks from when my office submitted the paperwork. The process for my wasn't difficult overall since I began everything last October.

Edited March 2, 201412 yr by eee.vii.eee

I have NJ Horizon BCBS. My surgical coordinator submitted a dummy date of March 31st to speed up the process. I don't know why the approvlal is taking so long. My visit with my Dr. was in December. He said I was a perfect candidate for the band. Anybody with the same experience?

I had Medicare and BC/BS Blue Options , Florida. both paid . I think it only took a few weeks to get approved.

Thanks for the reply. Is there anything I can do to speed up the process.