Note: I am extraordinarily grateful to have health insurance and understand there are many whose plans don't cover bariatric surgery. This post is simply a reflection of my current feelings and frustrations regarding unmet expectations -- expectations I thought were completely reasonable.

On December 1, 2013, I was finally able to select a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan in Illinois through healthcare.gov. It was such a relief to finally be able to get medical care without sky-high out-of-pocket expenses.

But BCBSIL messed up my application processing. First, they cancelled my medical insurance when my dental application came in and had to reinstate the coverage (thankfully, still effective January 1). Second, they invoiced incorrectly, showing I only paid through January, so providers were blocked from the preapproval system. I couldn't even get my prescriptions covered despite having fully paid my premiums.

After >20 hours (of my time) on the phone and nearly a month since BCBSIL first fully identified the problems, my providers still can't submit pre-approval requests, and I still have to pay out-of-pocket for prescriptions. I filed a complaint with the state insurance board but don't know how much that will accomplish or how long a resolution will take.

Re: Sleeve - BCBS in IL (and other states) does not require a supervised diet, so I expected fast approval for the sleeve. Originally I had hoped for February surgery. Then I hoped for March. Now it's looking like late April, which leaves me in a difficult position. This spring was a convenient time for surgery. I'm just writing my masters thesis and looking for work. If surgery comes too late, though, it could necessitate delaying regular work. It's beyond irritating.

Thanks for letting me vent! <3

It's worth the wait. I had to wait 3 long years before finally being able to get surgery at Stanford. Not necessarily due to insurance issues but the first attempt required extensive cardiac clearance which got me an ICD implantation for a bad heart. I had to wait close to a year for my heart to improve and for my cardiologist to clear me for surgery. Just be patient... Everything happens exactly when it is supposed to.

I hate to say it but the problems are likely due to the healthcare.gov site not transferring your info correctly. My friend had same happen to her in nj and they still can't straighten out. Hospital can always submit precert via fax and paper (used to work in one) but it's too cumbersome to do

Good luck.

After more than a week of phone trouble with the insurer, I finally reached someone...via Twitter! They will check to see if the pre-cert request arrived.

They have the request and are reviewing it!!! (It's kinda sad I'm so excited about that.)

Great news!!!

Got a tweet this morning saying I am approved!

Talked to the insurance coordinator. She says that since the surgeon will be gone a couple of weeks in May, I will probably end up with a date in early June.

This is fantastic!!! Happy for u Funny how fast they got back to you via Twitter!!! I just got my ins card in the mail and I'm scheduled to see the surgeon on April 23rd. We'll see...