How do I get approved on Blue Shield of California for WLS?

[Tierra T Tij 56]

I think the only problem in my way is my primary care doctor. She approved it the first time but didn't want me to get it to begin with. I only got a letter of approval the first time because my insurance at the time didn't need an approval. The insurance (Sutter Health EPO) offered weight loss surgery to me and I took the opportunity but now it's A LOT harder to get a referral even if I just do everything right my doctor still won't seem to approve me getting weight loss surgery. I'm trying to change doctors and insurances so they will cover it but so many doctors DO NOT accept Medi-Cal patients right now and I have dual insurance because things get costly and I have Medi-Cal for my medications mainly or else I wouldn't be able to afford them. Anyways, I just wish there was another way. I tried to get WLS in Mexico but my grandmother won't let me go and she's the trustee on my account so I have to do what she says because technically she's paying for it. So my question is, does anybody know a way around a primary care doctor to get a referral for weight loss surgery?

[dpeters88 22]

To get it done with medi-cal is harder especially with the blue cross. I switched to Cal-viva medi-cal and it's so much easier but you still need a doctor referral.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[teedsg 253]

@@Tierra T Tij, not sure, but hope you can use what dpeters88 advised.

Also, make sure you know what your Out of Pocket expenses are just in case you don't meet your deductible.

[Tierra T Tij 56]

Update: So I don't have Blue Shield anymore I have Anthem Blue Cross Medi-Cal (had job benefits but not anymore due to my poor health along with losing job so that's why I'm back on Medi-Cal again) and my doctor approved me to go through the process again of getting the Gastric Bypass (I'm so crossing my fingers on this one).