Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Recommended Posts

I switched from Molina because of the 12-month requirement to BCBS. I'm 2 months into my 6 months wait.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok so I am also in Michigan and have united healthcare community plan through medicaid. I was told at first that I only needed 6 months of managed weight loss then got a call on October 30th, almost 5 months into the 6 months, saying that I need a year. Which one is correct? Im confused...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok so I am also in Michigan and have united healthcare community plan through medicaid. I was told at first that I only needed 6 months of managed weight loss then got a call on October 30th, almost 5 months into the 6 months, saying that I need a year. Which one is correct? Im confused...

It’s 12 months according to DMC, you can change your plan in December! Blue cross is only 6 months


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Unfortunately, I can't change until May as that's when my enrollment month was. By that time I'll be almost done with my year.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've got BCBS of Michigan. Did my 6 months and all prereqs, and the insurance "navigator" at my bariatric group submitted the request for me. Got my approval letter within a week! Am set to have surgery December 5th. Feeling excited and ready to go:) Having sleeve.

Edited by Creekimp13

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've got BCBS of Michigan. Did my 6 months and all prereqs, and the insurance "navigator" at my bariatric group submitted the request for me. Got my approval letter within a week! Am set to have surgery December 5th. Feeling excited and ready to go:) Having sleeve.

Congratulations


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, diamondchic94 said:


Oh darn what program are you going through

I track everything on spark people, I'm a member of InShape through my local cmh where I get counseling, and I go to my pcp for monthly weigh ins. I'm going to lake Huron medical center in port huron for my surgery. It's formerly known as st. Joseph mercy port huron.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Okay I have a question I have blue cross complete of Michigan and I was told they do not have a waiting period but the bariatrics place Insist that since it is through Medicaid it is a 12 month program . So I’m a bit confused

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, Momof3yaytome said:

Okay I have a question I have blue cross complete of Michigan and I was told they do not have a waiting period but the bariatrics place Insist that since it is through Medicaid it is a 12 month program . So I’m a bit confused

You are correct. I have receipts for the current medical policy.

Click this link to the BCBSM website, or google bcbsm bariatric surgery medical policy MEDICAL POLICY - BARIATRIC SURGERY (GASTRIC SURGERY FOR MORBID OBESITY)

Once the pdf opens, press Ctrl+F on your keyboard. Type 4/20/21 in the search bar.

“Updated the policy to say 4 years for both BCBSM and BCN as per the JUMP’s recommendation and eliminated the 6 months waiting period statements”


I also called Blue Cross Complete @ 800 228 8554. I spoke with a very helpful rep who informed me that there is no waiting period for Blue Cross Complete (Medicaid) Only documented medical weight loss program within 4 years of surgery request. Doctors determine the length of their weight loss programs.

I’d give them a call and maybe do a three-way with your office manager.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So the office told me they ran the verification again and it still is showing 12 months so I called insurance they told me that someone is lying and it’s not them , the doc office tells me that obviously they don’t know what they’re talking about and getting their policies mixed up that maybe they are thinking of commercial instead of Medicaid, they asked me if I wanted to do a three way with the insurance and head of billing and lord and behold they told them the same thing they have been telling me so the head of billing she’s like oh so sorry they must have made a mistake blah blah blah
So my thing is HOW and another thing the lady at the office told me when I told her that the insurance was telling me otherwise she’s like no that’s not true No MEDICAID insurance is less then 12 month program ….

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't know what to tell you friend. I certainly can't go back in time and tell them I need to complete 6 more months, even if I wanted to.

Nor do I know why the agent I spoke with would tell me wrong.

I know for a fact that in 2017 I switched from Molina MEDICAID to Blue Cross Complete MEDICAID because Molina require 12 but BCBSM require only 6. I was too poor for the commercial if either. If anyone cares to follow my posts, I had my surgery in February 2019 and promise I did NOT wait 12 month. I would have. Especially now that I've come to appreciate so much more about myself because of my journey. I didn't have however. If you do, don't worry about it! You'll do wonderfully, and you can only come out stronger having done more prep!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah I am having my surgery soon they said that they require 6months even the the insurance is saying they do not, my sister thinks the office is just trying to make more money which is fine I’m okay with the 6 months instead of 12 lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • 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💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×