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i have bcbs of texas and in my employee handbook it states they will not cover any type of wls. i've heard from so many people from this forum and others stating it's a good chance when they say no, it's no; i've also been told to go to my human resource dept. and speak with someone over benefits and see if the non-coverage can be overridden because of my health concerns (of course with all my physicians paperwork); was told to continue to have a letters of neccesity sent by my physician (s)to bcbs and if denied, appeal, appeal, appeal. and lastly, get a obesity advocy (sp) lawyer if necessary. i've read of a few on this forum and another who care and will help for almost next to nothing. so, knowing all of this, i will continue to see my pcp, let her know what i'm planning, have all the steps needed before i get lapband documented if and when i do get o.k'd. i will continue to fight.

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BCBS of Texas like other insurances is individual to your employers policy. They have the option to place an exclusion on their policy for all WLS procedures which saves them money. Google "cpt code lap band" call your insurance company's 800 # and ask them if that cpt code is covered on your policy. If they say it ISW covered ask them where in your insurance book the information related to this surgery is so that you can see what if any hoops they may require you to jump through.

If they say there is an exclusion I believe you will have to find other ways of paying for the surgery but I am no expert.

Good Luck!

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Thanks for your reply. I found out that my policy will cover surgery if it's medically necessary. I guess what I would like to find out now is what anyone's experience has been with BCBS Texas in getting approved (provided they have coverage for surgery.) Was it a long process that required jumping through hoops? Also, my BMI is 37 with some comorbid conditions, I'm wondering if they make it difficult to get approved with a lower BMI.

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I have BCBS Texas Federal and had a bmi of 42, 40 seems to be the magic cut off with no comorbids. My paperwork was submited on a thursday and I was approved by monday or tuesday.

Your physicians office should be able to help you out with all of this. When do you go for your first appointment?

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I had my consult a month ago just need to turn in my 5 year history and one more month of diet. I'm just a little nervous about getting approved by the insurance co. but sounds like if you meet their criteria they will approve. I can't wait to have surgery and get started with the rest of my life. Thanks your reply!

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
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