I have finished my 6 months of nutrition classes, had my psych evaluation, and met with the surgeon who will be doing my sleeve surgery today. Now we wait for insurance approval. I have Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield Basic. Has anyone out there been approved with the same insurance? I am 5'3 and 270 so I do have a very high BMI. I also have high blood pressure controlled with medication. Thank you in advance for your responses. Oh also, how long until you received your approval or were denied?

I am retired from the VA and have BCBS Federal Basic. It is the best insurance I ever had.....ever. They approved me for a five day stay even though I only needed two. My total out of pocket was about $300.

I had the three month pre-op supervised diet. When all of my requirements were complete, my compliance packet was faxed on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, 2013. I was approved the next Monday. My surgery was schedule for the next available date which was in December.

The insurance clerk at the surgeons' office was on extended vacation without a replacement to cover her. I did not want to wait for her to feel like coming back to work after the holidays, so I called my case manager that Monday and got the info from her. She sent me a letter of approval which I forwarded to the surgeon.

Call BCBS and ask for a case manager. Mine was out of the corporate office in Richardson Texas. She was a nurse and remained my single point of contact all through the process. She was knowlegable about bariatric procedures and walked me through the paperwork quuagmire that can so easily discourage a person who does not have that benefit. Post-op she called a couple of times to see how my recovery was going.

The VA was pretty strict about returning to work without restrictions, so take as much time off as you can. I was already retired, but if you can wait until you are back on at least soft foods, it will be easier to have some energy to get through your day. For me that was three weeks. A You will probably have a five - ten pound lifting restriction for the first month. A gallon of milk weighs eight pounds.

I wish you the best. The waiting game is far worse than the surgery and recovery itself.

Thank you so much for your reply. I am an elementary teacher and I resigned my position at my school. My plan is to take a year off so that I can focus on my health. My insurance is through my hubby's job. I am excited and nervous all at the same time. If I do not hear something soon I will absolutely call. I did 6 months of classes because that is what the bariatric program is here in SW MO. Your information was extremely helpful so thank you, again!!!

I did keep in constant contact with the insurance company. I was always very nice but told them I needed this expedited because of my husband's vacation time and that I teach. I got the approval today!!!! Now, I am waiting for the doctor's office scheduler lunch hour to be over to get on their schedule ASAP! I feel like I can breathe but will do so if it can take place during husband's vacation time.

I did keep in constant contact with the insurance company. I was always very nice but told them I needed this expedited because of my husband's vacation time and that I teach. I got the approval today!!!! Now, I am waiting for the doctor's office scheduler lunch hour to be over to get on their schedule ASAP! I feel like I can breathe but will do so if it can take place during husband's vacation time.

I may try to ask them to expedite mine as well. I've counted my days up and they should be sending everything in the beginning of November. I'd love to have surgery the week if thanksgiving, I know I'd have help with my son then.

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I am retired from the VA and have BCBS Federal Basic. It is the best insurance I ever had.....ever. They approved me for a five day stay even though I only needed two. My total out of pocket was about $300.

I had the three month pre-op supervised diet. When all of my requirements were complete, my compliance packet was faxed on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, 2013. I was approved the next Monday. My surgery was schedule for the next available date which was in December.

The insurance clerk at the surgeons' office was on extended vacation without a replacement to cover her. I did not want to wait for her to feel like coming back to work after the holidays, so I called my case manager that Monday and got the info from her. She sent me a letter of approval which I forwarded to the surgeon.

Call BCBS and ask for a case manager. Mine was out of the corporate office in Richardson Texas. She was a nurse and remained my single point of contact all through the process. She was knowlegable about bariatric procedures and walked me through the paperwork quuagmire that can so easily discourage a person who does not have that benefit. Post-op she called a couple of times to see how my recovery was going.

The VA was pretty strict about returning to work without restrictions, so take as much time off as you can. I was already retired, but if you can wait until you are back on at least soft foods, it will be easier to have some energy to get through your day. For me that was three weeks. A You will probably have a five - ten pound lifting restriction for the first month. A gallon of milk weighs eight pounds.

I wish you the best. The waiting game is far worse than the surgery and recovery itself.

Hello, did you call and ask for a case manager in the beginning or did you wait until all your visits were done? Do I just call ask for a case manager and when I get one then what? Explain what I'm trying to do? I just want to make sure I understand what I need before I call asking questions.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am retired from the VA and have BCBS Federal Basic. It is the best insurance I ever had.....ever. They approved me for a five day stay even though I only needed two. My total out of pocket was about $300.

I had the three month pre-op supervised diet. When all of my requirements were complete, my compliance packet was faxed on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, 2013. I was approved the next Monday. My surgery was schedule for the next available date which was in December.

The insurance clerk at the surgeons' office was on extended vacation without a replacement to cover her. I did not want to wait for her to feel like coming back to work after the holidays, so I called my case manager that Monday and got the info from her. She sent me a letter of approval which I forwarded to the surgeon.

Call BCBS and ask for a case manager. Mine was out of the corporate office in Richardson Texas. She was a nurse and remained my single point of contact all through the process. She was knowlegable about bariatric procedures and walked me through the paperwork quuagmire that can so easily discourage a person who does not have that benefit. Post-op she called a couple of times to see how my recovery was going.

The VA was pretty strict about returning to work without restrictions, so take as much time off as you can. I was already retired, but if you can wait until you are back on at least soft foods, it will be easier to have some energy to get through your day. For me that was three weeks. A You will probably have a five - ten pound lifting restriction for the first month. A gallon of milk weighs eight pounds.

I wish you the best. The waiting game is far worse than the surgery and recovery itself.

Hello, did you call and ask for a case manager in the beginning or did you wait until all your visits were done? Do I just call ask for a case manager and when I get one then what? Explain what I'm trying to do? I just want to make sure I understand what I need before I call asking questions.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App