Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Worried about insurance. Empire blue cross blue shield.



Recommended Posts

Hello I am new to the forum. I am pretty worried about my insurance covering my surgery. I have Empire BCBS -NY- and I just did my seminar. My first consultation is Wednesday and I am very anxious. I did my first of six doctor visits needed for my insurance and I weighed in at 227 making me just above 40 BMI. My doctor has been very helpful and listed my comorbities as knee pain, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. I know my weight and comorbities should be enough but I don't know if it matters that although I do have high blood pressure and high cholesterol it's not high enough to the point that I need to take medication. Has anyone had a similar situation where they had comorbities that weren't severe enough for medications? Also I'm 21 years old.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Here is a link to your health plan requirements: https://www.empireblue.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htm

If your BMI is > 40, it doesn't matter about your comorbidities. Maintain your weight and you're fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Here is a link to your health plan requirements: https://www.empireblue.com/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053317.htmIf your BMI is > 40, it doesn't matter about your comorbidities. Maintain your weight and you're fine.

Thank you for your reply, I get so anxious because it would break my heart to have to wait 6 months just to get denied. Especially because I just hover around 40 BMI :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello I am new to the forum. I am pretty worried about my insurance covering my surgery. I have Empire BCBS -NY- and I just did my seminar. My first consultation is Wednesday and I am very anxious. I did my first of six doctor visits needed for my insurance and I weighed in at 227 making me just above 40 BMI. My doctor has been very helpful and listed my comorbities as knee pain, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. I know my weight and comorbities should be enough but I don't know if it matters that although I do have high blood pressure and high cholesterol it's not high enough to the point that I need to take medication. Has anyone had a similar situation where they had comorbities that weren't severe enough for medications? Also I'm 21 years old.

I'm going through the SAME thing as you. I do have a different insurance company though. My current BMI is at the lower end of the BMI range that qualifies for coverage. I was worried about having to do the 6 month supervised weight loss because I wasn't sure if the insurance company would pay if I fell out of that BMI range. My dietician told me that if I get close she will help me maintain the weight so I can get coverage.

With all the appointments & test this whole process sort of feels like a part time job. ????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello I am new to the forum. I am pretty worried about my insurance covering my surgery. I have Empire BCBS -NY- and I just did my seminar. My first consultation is Wednesday and I am very anxious. I did my first of six doctor visits needed for my insurance and I weighed in at 227 making me just above 40 BMI. My doctor has been very helpful and listed my comorbities as knee pain, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. I know my weight and comorbities should be enough but I don't know if it matters that although I do have high blood pressure and high cholesterol it's not high enough to the point that I need to take medication. Has anyone had a similar situation where they had comorbities that weren't severe enough for medications? Also I'm 21 years old.

I'm going through the SAME thing as you. I do have a different insurance company though. My current BMI is at the lower end of the BMI range that qualifies for coverage. I was worried about having to do the 6 month supervised weight loss because I wasn't sure if the insurance company would pay if I fell out of that BMI range. My dietician told me that if I get close she will help me maintain the weight so I can get coverage.

With all the appointments & test this whole process sort of feels like a part time job. ????

I know what you mean, I try to think of it as I spent most my life over weight I can wait another 6 months but it's hard to not have a little negativity, especially knowing the tricks insurance company's like to play!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×