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

Insurance requirements for Anthem BCBS



Recommended Posts

Hello all! I'm new to this forum and just started my journey. I had my consultation spot on 7-5, my Upper Gindine today as well as my psych evaluation and first nutrition appointment ( I have to have 6 consecutive months). I'm very nervous because I want to get it don this year because I've met my deductible and out of pocket maximum so my surgery will be 100% covered! I'm scared because my last nutrition appointment will be 12/13 which is cutting it close!!! Anyone experienced these? Can you give me words of encouragement??? Thank you in advance!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

100% is awesome. The only thought that came to my mind is given the fact that it's cutting close to the end of the year, is to stay on top of your surgeon's office/team. Keep yourself in the loop, always ask questions. Ask them how they manage patient records (are they staying on top of them daily, etc). I did. My team sent them off and not even 24 hours later, I was approved. Also, call your insurance company and ask what their policy is for the approval process. Maybe they'll make note in the system and see that you're serious??? I called mine and did this as well. Make sure you make all appts, don't reschedule any (they have to be consecutive--as with most insurances). Blessings on your journey hon!!! It'll be here before you know it. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

If you just started and you need it by dec 31 you might not make it. I think I'm like $800 short of my max out of pocket and medi-cal should take care of the rest.

Make sure you ask your scheduler to make a tentative surgery appt before the end of the year. Mine make a 7/31 appt like 2 months in advance because I was already meeting all but 1 requirement.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You should still be okay, my approval was done in less than 24 hours and my surgery was scheduled two weeks after. Keep in mind, when we review PA's (I'm w/ BCBS) towards the end of the year, our TAT (turn around time) is a bit longer than usual. Ask the MD to send it in as a STAT, due to the end of the ear urgency. Depending on your review team, if it is not life threatening, it may be downgraded to a standard. Make sure your medical team submits everything, so it does not pend for additional information, that can extend the time significantly.

Crossing my fingers for you, congrats!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you Crystal I appreciate your comment. I'll make sure they stay on top of it .....even if I have to have surgery on New Year's Eve!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I too have Anthem and have meet my deductible this year. I haven't started the six month thing yet. I am due to start that on 8/6 just incase but I had a neurology apt scheduled on July 24th for over a month and discovered I had Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension which is causing vision loss and my neurologist doesn't want me to wait that long to get the surgery. She is going to try to get my insurance to waive the 6 month diet which I hope they do. I have heard good things about BCBS though and them approving fast. SO just stay on top of it and it should work out.

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

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 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

    ×