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

Low BMI Insurance approval??



Recommended Posts

I was wondering what everyone's Experience is with Insurance approval if they have a lower BMI (BETWEEN 35 and 38) with no co-morbidities. At At 1st I just assumed that I was going to have to be a self pay client, but after a little more research, saw that maybe I could get insurance cover it. I currently have Florida Blue. anyone have any experience with this?

Sent from my SM-G892U using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have bcbs federal. My BMI is 35.8. They’ve denied me even though I have the 2 comorbidities they require. They stated my comorbidities were unqualifying because they could be controlled. I’m going to appeal and see where that gets me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have Aetna and got denied twice. I have a 39.51 BMI which right on the fence and still got denied as I wasn't at 40 BMI, even with hypertension. I took a sleep study test, which showed I had obstructive sleep apnea. Once I had been diagnosed with OSA, I got an approval. I suggest asking your PCP for a sleep study test to see if you have OSA. If you have it, your BMI can be at 35

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have bcbs federal. My BMI is 35.8. They’ve denied me even though I have the 2 comorbidities they require. They stated my comorbidities were unqualifying because they could be controlled. I’m going to appeal and see where that gets me.

I was in a similar boat but wasn't patient enough to stick with it. I did self pay. I hope you prevail! Look up Lindstrom obesity advocates. They work on appeals.

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My BMI was 38, I had sleep apnea and a heart condition and was denied. I ended up doing self pay and it wasn't bad with my self pay everything was covered and even 4 days in the hospital were but I was only in for 2 days. So all depends on your insurance and how your providers documentation supports the medical necessity of why getting the surgery is needed.

Sent from my SM-N950U using BariatricPal mobile app

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

    • 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.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Still purging all of the larger clothing. This morning, a shirt that I ADORED wearing ended up on top. Hard to let it go, but it was also hard to let go of those habits that also no longer serve my highest good. Onward and upward!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Onedayatatime365

      Looking to connect with others who are also on the journey of better health. Post-Op Gastric Sleeve (4/11/24).
      · 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

    ×