Hi. I had the band in January 2010 and lost a significant amount of weight. At that time I was covered under blue shield of California who paid for it. A few years later I switched insurance to anthem blue cross of California. In August 2013 my band slipped and since I wasn't aware of the sleeve at the time I just had it removed and anthem paid for it. A couple years later I have gained quite a bit of weight back and it's a major struggle. Even though it's been almost two years would I be considered a revision/conversion and would anthem pay for it even though original surgery was paid for by different insurance? Thanks in advance

It would probably be best to call them and ask. Mine had a one surgery exclusion, and i chose to self pay for the sleeve. Maybe someone will know, but to be sure it would be better if you asked Anthem.

I agree that you would have to check with them. I have Anthem BCBS and my band to sleeve revision was covered just like my original band was. My surgeon just put on the forms that my band malfunctioned.

I had my band removed separately from my sleeve (band removed in April and will get sleeve at the end of the month). I don't think it was called a revision but my insurance was billed separately for 2 surgeries. Not sure if that helps you but my understanding is that the insurance companies require all of the same pre-op things (supervised diet, psych, etc.) before approval even if it is all done in one surgery.

Edit to say that I also had a different insurance for my band placement in 2007 and my removal and sleeve in 2015. Hope that is helpful. I don't think that they care about this as long as your insurance doesn't have an exclusion. Your surgeon's office will write a history and they will hear about everything and consider it.,

Edited June 16, 201511 yr by Bndtoslv