It's almost open season again, and I don't want to make another mistake switching insurances to something I think will cover lap band, but doesn't. I can't seem to get a straight answer from my current insurance, Mail Handlers Benefit Plan (MHBP), though others have told me that they are great only for bypass. I have firmly decided on lap band.

Does anyone with Federal experience have any suggestions on switching health plans within the government plans offerred. I only plan to look at the national plans, but, in case it makes a difference, I live in Houston, TX.:help:

Federal BCBS pays 90% on lap band from ppo doctors. $250 deductible applies. Will not give a preapproval without a fight but they have been very good otherwise.

I have federal BCBS...they paid all but @ $200 for surgeon and $750 for hospital.

BCBS FEP here as well. I had a $100 hospital copay and copays for my Dr. visits, but that was it. Everything else was covered.

Chris

My surgery was performed as an outpatient and they paid 90%. My doctor's office submitted the paperwork to them on a Friday and I was approved the following Monday. Good luck.

I HAVE Tricare Prime...thru my husband's retirement.. But I am a federal employee.. I was looking for a plan that will cover my band,, I paid for it out of my OWN POCKET.. due to fact that I wanted the band, cut and dry.. Now I am looking for a plan that will cover the band. I am not even sure if I get BCBS will take care of me with a pre existing band already..

Diane in San Diego

I am a federal government employee and I have MD IPA...they covered my lapband. I only paid $50. I did have to do 6 months of supervised weight loss with my doctor, but it was worth it. This year they are going to be called "United Healthcare". I have heard from others that BCBS was easy to get approved. In fact, here at my work it took one girl 2 weeks between the time she went for a consultation and the day she got surgery...not bad!!!

Seems like BCBS is the one. Now the question is Basic or Standard?

Standard here

Standard Option.

BCBS looks the best.. I have been going to the different web sites..and BCBS is probably going to be my choice...I Need one that will give me maintenance on the band I paid for out of own pocket.. What a real zoo looking at these different plans and prices and coverages.. Driving me nuts.

DIane in San Diego

I have BCBS FEP Basic and had no problem getting written authorization and they paid all but $100 of my surgery costs. Paperwork submitted on a Thursday and approved by Monday. BCBS is fabulous!

DID you end up picking out your HMO.. I AM GETTING ready to pick one just for maintenance for my band.

I was self paided and now I am just wanting someone who will cover maintenance on it.

LEt me know who you went with.

I have 12 days to decide.

diane in san diego

Hello, I have MD IPA also. I was trying to find someone with the same insurance plan for advice. they did tell me te I had to go through a 6 month supervised loss program or a 3 month some other form which I reall didn't understand. How does this have to be documented if I have been trying to loose the weight due to my high blood pressure readings and borderline diabetic issues. Do you think I will still have to do the 6 month plan. I am just starting out. I attended the workshop Wednesday and my next appointment is to see the financial advisors at the docs office. Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

thank You!

Sosobizi

Hi all,

I am a rural carrier and have bcbs insurance basic option and am so glad to see others on here that have had LB surgery with not problems. At my support group meeting someone said they will only cover fills for the first 6 mos. does anyone know if this is true? I am hoping to get surgery in jan or feb. The one thing about the basic plan is you have to go to one of their dr's and hospitals or they do not pay for any of it. other than that, i have had basic gov bcbs and they have been great. they just approved the band this year. I am so excited. are there any other rural carriers out there that have had this done? How long before going back to work? I worry about that as i have to lift and drive for long periods of the day.

Newbeginnings

i have Mamsi MDIPA and they were pretty easy to get approval. check them out