I have BCBS Alliance Select in Iowa. From what I've read on the company website lapband is covered if you have a BMI under 50. I'm at 50 but I think I can manage to lose 10 pounds to bring that down.

Anyhow I know every insurance is different but if they say the procedure is covered does that usually mean your fills too? Or is this something that might be all out of pocket?

I'm just realizing that this surgery is really something that could require quite a few visits and I just would like to know what I'm in for I guess.

I'm sorry but I think you have to call them and ask them if it is covered for your policy.

I have Cigna and they will be covering all of my fills...thankfuly!

Peace Out!

T~:hippie:

Somethingelse, your insurer will likely have a formal policy with regard to fills, and your doctor might know what that is. Certainly a number of fills/adjustments should be covered, since they are an integral part of the treatment--the surgery itself is only the START of the treatment. But carriers are slow to comprehend the nature of gastric banding, and some have placed limitations on fills by creating arbitrary schedules, or putting a cap on the number.

Call your carrier and ask. That's the only way to know for sure. Even so, they will probably say something like "indication of coverage is not a guarantee of payment" which is standard CYA language in the insurance industry. They won't ever make any promises; it all depends on how the claim is coded when it arrives.

Make sure you check to see if any fills are included in the original price. My doctor charges more for the surgery than other places around, but I can have an unlimited number of fills my first year at no cost to me or my insurance.