I found out that my doctors office just sent my claim to my insurance for gastric sleeve surgery on 12/30/2013. I hope that is enough time to get an approval or denial by my surgery date 01/14/2014. I called BCBS Federal and they confirmed the claim was received and is being reviewed. I am so excited and scared at the same time. I met all of the qualifications, with my insurance you had to have a BMI of 35-45 with one or more comorbidity, or a BMI of 40 for the past two years. I have a BMI of 39 with sleep apnea. I did my 3 month weight loss program which I actually did 4 months so I could wait until January 2014 to be sleeved, and my phsyc. eval. I am so nervouse. I wonder how long it took other people with BCBS federal to get approved once submitted? Looking forward to a new year and a new me hopefully.

Relax. They waited until 2 weeks out to submit mind to Avmed. They do this routinely. God Bless and enjoy your New Year's Eve!!!!!!!!!

My BCBS Federal was submitted on November 20, 2013. I was supposed to patiently wait for the doctor's office to give me the call-back. But I learned from others on this site to be pro-active. So, on Monday 11/25 I called BCBS and was told my surgery had been approved on 11/22.

I called the doctor's office and was told that the certification specialist was out the whole week for Thanksgiving. Lucky for me, On 11/26, I received a letter from BCBS stating that they had approved five days 12/23 - /12/27/2013 for my hospital stay. I faxed this document to the surgeon, and they went ahead and locked in my date for 12/23.

I wish everyone could have my surgeon, Dr. Bipan Chand at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. So, I was sleeved on 12/23/2013 and have had NO shoulder gas pain. I am 8 days out now, and starting to get some energy back, and no longer need pain meds. The steri strips fell off today.

Count your blessings that you have BCBS Federal. It is the best insurance I have ever had - ever! Good luck to you. I will see you on the other side.....

My BCBS Federal was submitted on November 20, 2013. I was supposed to patiently wait for the doctor's office to give me the call-back. But I learned from others on this site to be pro-active. So, on Monday 11/25 I called BCBS and was told my surgery had been approved on 11/22. I called the doctor's office and was told that the certification specialist was out the whole week for Thanksgiving. Lucky for me, On 11/26, I received a letter from BCBS stating that they had approved five days 12/23 - /12/27/2013 for my hospital stay. I faxed this document to the surgeon, and they went ahead and locked in my date for 12/23. I wish everyone could have my surgeon, Dr. Bipan Chand at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. So, I was sleeved on 12/23/2013 and have had NO shoulder gas pain. I am 8 days out now, and starting to get some energy back, and no longer need pain meds. The steri strips fell off today. Count your blessings that you have BCBS Federal. It is the best insurance I have ever had - ever! Good luck to you. I will see you on the other side.....

Hi I am set to be sleeved by the same surgeon on 2/20/14!!! yayyy me! Hope ur doing well!!!

Dr. Chand's team is awesome. Congratulations that you got your date. I wish you good luck and good health. let me know how your surgery goes.

Dr. Chand's team is awesome. Congratulations that you got your date. I wish you good luck and good health. let me know how your surgery goes.

Thanks i sure will!

My BCBS Federal was submitted on November 20, 2013. I was supposed to patiently wait for the doctor's office to give me the call-back. But I learned from others on this site to be pro-active. So, on Monday 11/25 I called BCBS and was told my surgery had been approved on 11/22.

I called the doctor's office and was told that the certification specialist was out the whole week for Thanksgiving. Lucky for me, On 11/26, I received a letter from BCBS stating that they had approved five days 12/23 - /12/27/2013 for my hospital stay. I faxed this document to the surgeon, and they went ahead and locked in my date for 12/23.

I wish everyone could have my surgeon, Dr. Bipan Chand at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. So, I was sleeved on 12/23/2013 and have had NO shoulder gas pain. I am 8 days out now, and starting to get some energy back, and no longer need pain meds. The steri strips fell off today.

Count your blessings that you have BCBS Federal. It is the best insurance I have ever had - ever! Good luck to you. I will see you on the other side.....

Miss Mac Omg I have finally found someone who have had surgery with the group. Dr. Sarker will be doing my surgery on the 30th of this month. Congrats on your surgery and recovery. Everyone is very nice there.