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Cigna was 4 months and a very easy process. 4 weigh ins/loss attempts (no loss required) with PCP within a 90 day period along with the psych evaluation, classes, visit with nutritionist and BMI of 40+ (or other health factors). Approval was submitted, then approved within the week.

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ExcellUS BCBS PPO. IN Western NY. 6 months w/dietitian only.

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I have bcbs IL in Springfield and there is no waiting or supervised diet. But they have a program to cover a lot to make sure there would not be a denial. And my insurance only lets me go through a center of excellence weight loss center.

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I have Harvard Pilgrim and there is no wait. You do have to meet certain requirements but no waiting period

Ashlie M

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Could you tell me about the requirements and all that with Harvard pilgrim ? I'm at the very beginning of all this

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I have BCBS IL through the teamsters union (TeamCare) and they do require at least 2 co-morbidities and a letter of medical necessity (if BMI is under 40). But no waiting period.

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My BMI is 40.8, I have four co-morbidities: sleep apnea, HTN, borderline glucose levels and GERD/reflux. I did six months of a diet plan in advance of my surgical consult just in case it was required and it was documented on my letter of medical necessity. My surgeon is from a blue distinction hospital. I passed my psych exam, did a nutritional consult, a physical, chest x-ray and EKG and provided a lot of documentation to my surgeon's office for them to choose to submit or not. I have BCBS IL through Teamcare too, my file was submitted on 10/10 still waiting for my approval. I am so glad to for your post, it gives me hope with all the documentation (13 pages) my surgeon chose to send that once they assign my file for review that I can be approved quickly without any problems. How long did it take to get your approval? Also how long did it take to approve your in patient stay at the blue distinction hospital you chose? I was advised by teamcare that they would pay 100%, did you have any out of pocket if your surgeon used a assisting surgeon? So glad for your post and knowledge.

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Racshelle, so glad to hear your journey is going great! It took less than 2 weeks for my approval once my surgeon submitted my info. My surgery was covered at 100%. I am now 4 weeks post op and 30 lbs lighter. Woohoo! First post op appointment today. It sounds like you went far and beyond their expectations already so you shouldn't have any problems getting approved. It was a very easy process compared to what it could've been. Surgery and anesthesia all covered at 100%. Good luck.

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Racshelle, so glad to hear your journey is going great! It took less than 2 weeks for my approval once my surgeon submitted my info. My surgery was covered at 100%. I am now 4 weeks post op and 30 lbs lighter. Woohoo! First post op appointment today. It sounds like you went far and beyond their expectations already so you shouldn't have any problems getting approved. It was a very easy process compared to what it could've been. Surgery and anesthesia all covered at 100%. Good luck.

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How are you feeling? How was the dreaded two days before surgery and the two days after surgery. I am also curious as to how things are going for you on the diet stage that you are in? The only thing that scares me is being on a total liquid diet after surgery for several weeks.

I have so many questions, if you had a job that did not require lifting would you have felt well enough (minus being tired- I always am, I have sleep apnea) to go back to work in 5 days? I had an open hysterectomy on 12/26/14 was well enough to be discharged on 12/28/16, never really felt very much pain, still have plenty of vicodin left from that adventure. I am thinking that with lap surgery I should do much better and be able to go back to work in 5 days that is if BCBSIL will go ahead and approve my surgery by next Tuesday. My surgeon's office put me on the schedule for next Wednesday the 26th just in case I get the approval, if not the surgery date will be canceled. Hoping BCBSIL will come through for me.

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Now, with the RNY there was no way I could've gone back in 5 days. Had my first post op today and they were a bit upset that I went back after 2 weeks. I have a sit down desk job but it took me a week and a half to be able to drive due to the pulling on my 5 incisions. I have hit a small bump in my journey with fluids. I'm a month out and have what they call a stricture. I'm having my 2nd endoscopy this Friday to stretch my esophagus. I'm so dehydrated and anything I swallow feels like it's stuck in my chest. I actually vomited for the first time yesterday. This all didn't start until 2 weeks after surgery. If it's gonna happen it's usually around 4-6 weeks I've been told. But one day at a time. I had my surgery through wake forest baptist health in North Carolina and they wouldn't schedule my surgery until BCBS approved it. I'm sure you'll be just fine.

The 2 days before surgery was a piece of cake. I was on Clear liquids for a week after surgery and sugar free popcicles were my saving grace. Hello was great too. Then I moved on to puréed foods after that week but only got a few good days before the stricture happened. The interesting thing is I now could care less about food. My stomach no longer growls. It's interesting to feel the changes.

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Now, with the RNY there was no way I could've gone back in 5 days. Had my first post op today and they were a bit upset that I went back after 2 weeks. I have a sit down desk job but it took me a week and a half to be able to drive due to the pulling on my 5 incisions. I have hit a small bump in my journey with fluids. I'm a month out and have what they call a stricture. I'm having my 2nd endoscopy this Friday to stretch my esophagus. I'm so dehydrated and anything I swallow feels like it's stuck in my chest. I actually vomited for the first time yesterday. This all didn't start until 2 weeks after surgery. If it's gonna happen it's usually around 4-6 weeks I've been told. But one day at a time. I had my surgery through wake forest baptist health in North Carolina and they wouldn't schedule my surgery until BCBS approved it. I'm sure you'll be just fine.

The 2 days before surgery was a piece of cake. I was on Clear Liquids for a week after surgery and sugar free popcicles were my saving grace. Hello was great too. Then I moved on to puréed foods after that week but only got a few good days before the stricture happened. The interesting thing is I now could care less about food. My stomach no longer growls. It's interesting to feel the changes.

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I am sorry to hear of the stricture. I am hopeful that the endoscopy to stretch your esophagus will help give you the relief that you need. As soon as you are up to it, please keep me posted on how the endoscopy went and if things are better for you.

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I have united healthcare and have to wait 6 months, but there are others on this forum who have united healthcare and don't have to wait at all.

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I have United Healthcare I'm waiting 6 months. Ugh

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