male only *MALE ONLY* How long did it take you to get your approval from insurance?

[illailla 79]

just went in for a consultation and was told that once the insurance clear i will be getting a call...never got a time frame

how long did it take for everyone else?

[BigViffer 3,545]

Mine was pretty quick, from seminar to surgery was only 3 months. I didn't have the 6 month supervised diet because my GP was already tracking it for another reason. Plus I was already suffering from several bulging discs and 2 herniated discs. I was originally trying for back surgery, but that surgeon said he wouldn't touch me until I lost 100 lbs. Insurance approved the WLS because it was far cheaper than back surgery I bet.

[illailla 79]

Wow that's a quick turn around. I would've never thought that so many other surgeries had weight restrictions until I read some stories around here. It's like you have to save your life in order to save your life. I guess that's another plus to having weight loss surgery.

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Edited April 14, 2016 by illailla

[NoMoBand 278]

My paperwork was submitted early on a Tuesday morning, I had my approval by that afternoon. I couldn't believe it! I guess it all depends on the work load.

I should mention that mine was a very unexpected revision. I didn't have to go through any of the hoops that one normally goes through because I already had a lap band. I was lucky because some insurance companies require that you go through all the consults and evaluation from the beginning.

Edited April 14, 2016 by NoMoBand

[James Marusek 5,244]

It depends quite a bit on the insurance that you have. For me it took around 9 months from initial consultation until surgery.

[VDB 800]

My insurance had a history of turning down these surgeries.... so I decided that I had one shot at it, and really provided highly detailed documentation of health effects of obesity for me (diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood fats, edema), and the past/potential cost to my insurance of those areas of concern (I had a heart attack four years earlier, diabetes was worse, blood pressure out of control, edema threatening my mobility). I finally, with my clinic, submitted everything and got approval less than 12 hours later.

BTW, at almost one year post bypass, diabetes reduced 90%, blood pressure normal without meds, blood fats actually low now, edema gone, mobility back).... what results! Gone from 9 daily meds other than Vitamins to 3 daily meds, and one of them is gout prevention.

[taxudown 44]

I have BCBS Fed, and I started 4/14 and will have surgery the first week or two in August. The only thing I have to do for my insurance is the 90 day diet. I've had the psych, weight history etc.

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[illailla 79]

thanks everyone

i was approved a day after making this thread

went in for a consult on april 11th and got the call to get my requirements going on april 15th

[taxudown 44]

Congrats! Who do you insurance with?

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[illailla 79]

Congrats! Who do you insurance with?

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Thanks. Blue cross blue shield. They longer require the diet supervision so I got lucky there.

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[SpeakerSpeaking 6]

I have AFTRA H&R

I had my consult on January 4th and found out I had to do the 6 month diet. Ready to get on with it already!!

[neckless_que 28]

I have Aetna. I went to a seminar on 4/5, filled out an application and scheduled an appointment. Met with the doctor 4/11 and he informed me that I qualified and could have the sleeve early as mid July. Met with Psychologist, nutritionist and had blood work on 4/13. I'll be meeting with the Physical Therapist 4/25.

Edited April 26, 2016 by neckless_que

[Mjdld 36]

I had a nightmare situation. I should have reported my insurance, BCBS Empire Blue. They first denied me because my general doctor had me visit his nurse practitioner for one of my 6 month diet reports.

My doctor then signed a note at the bottom of the report stating that he supervised and approved the report. We resubmitted all the paperwork.

Then the insurance denied it again because the doctor didn't put "MD" after his signature.

Because it was the second denial we had to have an outside third party appeal. They approved it in 2 days.

The biggest issue was that because they forced me through the appeal process, I was forced to postpone the surgery past the end of the year when all my out of pocket maximums reset. Now the surgery was going to cost me $5000 instead of $2000. I am convinced they did this on purpose.

They really are scoundrels.

It took me 3 months ultimately to get approved.

Edited April 28, 2016 by Mjdld

[illailla 79]

alright bros..the surgery date is june 21st

once the requirements start going everything goes by fassst..the earliest date i could have chose was june 7th..i mean the process was fast

Edited May 22, 2016 by illailla

[haolenate 12]

HMSA Blue Cross Blue Shield of Hawai'i approved mine in about 2 weeks after everything was submitted. No supervised diet for the lap band.