BCBS Federal timing question

[JustBeth13 35]

Can anyone tell me how long it took BCBS FEP to approve your surgery once everything was submitted? I'm trying to figure out if I'll be able to have surgery the week our office is closed in June. My last day of the 3-month medically supervised diet is May 12 so I'd have just under a month to get approval and scheduled! Yikes!

[Elode 8,093]

Mine took 6-10 days.

[JustBeth13 35]

Mine took 6-10 days.

That would just be ideal for me....fingers crossed!

[Miss Mac 6,261]

Two days. But I called my case manager in the Richardson TX office. The doctor's coordinator was on vacation and would not have called me for two weeks.

[jasminebsn3 119]

Mine took one week

[AhnaLucille 57]

My "approval" took 4-5 days.. but it took 29 days to hear back from my surgeons office and I still have another 40 days to wait for surgery.. Hopefully yours will all work out for you in June.. Good Luck!

[scoutmom 63]

Hi all -

Can you tell me how much documentation you needed for BCBS Federal and if you had to do a final weigh-in at the 90 day mark of your nutritional classes, etc.?

Thanks,

Seana

[JustBeth13 35]

Hi all -

Can you tell me how much documentation you needed for BCBS Federal and if you had to do a final weigh-in at the 90 day mark of your nutritional classes, etc.?

Thanks,

Seana

well, not sure I can answer that yet - I'm still in the middle of the 3-month diet. As I understand it, my PCP has to file chart notes with the surgeon's office that clearly show the reason for my visit is (and only is) bariatric counseling. I don't think I have to actually lose weight for BCBS, but my surgeon is requiring at least 5% of my body weight lost before surgery. My surgeon's office did give me a piece of paper to give to my PCP that has the correct verbiage on it that her notes need to say. I don't have it anymore as I did give it to her. I have appointments set up every 30 days (so 4 appts total with the beginning one). I started on 2/12 and my final appointment is on 5/12. BTW, it's not a class or anything - just a weigh-in and about 10 minute appt with the doc. Hope that helps!

[jane13 2,256]

I started the "journey" and then stopped back in December. I am a spouse of a BCBS FED employee and just completed my last mandatory class. I was called earlier today and told the paperwork was going to be submitted for approval and that BCBS just changed out their process and its taking at least 4 weeks for approval. I did my chest xray & EKG on Nov 11. I am pushing for the first of May timeframe for surgery. I am also in the middle of moving. My house is scheduled for completion late April and we hope to move in by May 1. I would prefer to be recovering in my new house instead of the camper I am going to be living in starting next Tuesday.

We sound like we may be "losers" together - early May.

[scoutmom 63]

Thanks @@jane13, that is a bummer about the 4 week wait time! I am submitting on April 16th and was hoping to have surgery by the end of May.

What documentation did you have to provide from your primary doctor, if any?

Hope you approval goes quickly!

[jane13 2,256]

Scoutmom -

I just gave them the doctors name and permission to get a copy of my records. I have been seeing an endocrinologist to help with the weight, skin, nails, tiredness & etc. He is wonderful but I was given Wellbutrin and Qsymia to help with weight loss and energy. Made me feel funny. I am not good with taking pills so I have been working on that the past year or two since I was put on BP meds.

[jane13 2,256]

@@JustBeth13

I just received my approval letter. I don't really know what happens next. I called and left a msg at doctors office. I believe that I schedule another appt with surgeon and at that point a date is determined. I am currently living in a 25' RV with my adult son and husband. we are waiting to have our house built and delivered. it's a modular.

[JustBeth13 35]

@@JustBeth13

I just received my approval letter. I don't really know what happens next. I called and left a msg at doctors office. I believe that I schedule another appt with surgeon and at that point a date is determined. I am currently living in a 25' RV with my adult son and husband. we are waiting to have our house built and delivered. it's a modular.

Wow, Jane! That's only 1 1/2 weeks. Great news! I hope all works out well for you and you're in your new home and your new body before you know it!!

[Skinny Steps 25]

I'm on bcbs federal tx and it took 3 days. I called the insurance daily and they actually told me I was approved. I immediately called my dr and they called to confirm and things went super fast from there. They mail their decision so we avoided the wait by me calling. I'm 11 days post op now.

[JustBeth13 35]

I'm on bcbs federal tx and it took 3 days. I called the insurance daily and they actually told me I was approved. I immediately called my dr and they called to confirm and things went super fast from there. They mail their decision so we avoided the wait by me calling. I'm 11 days post op now.

That's great! Way to advocate for yourself. I'm going to take a page out of your book when it comes time for me.