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In reading submissions from my bari-friends I have seen troubles with BCBS,United Health, Tricare, Blue Care Network, Medicare and Medicaid administered by state goverments. Are there any insurance entities in the US who treat patients in a kind, compassionate and decent manner or is that too much to ask of insurance-dom?
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Honestly, it all depends on your insurance plan, state and benefits. Some plans are relaxed and easy while others are strict and difficult.

I have United Healthcare through my Job in NYC. Due to my employer, my plan is very easy to navigate and what is covered. I do not have any issues with them and getting approval for any type of surgery.

Actually I reached out (just to see the process) for a panniculectomy and received pre-approval. I do not have a weight goal that I have to reach. I just have to wait 6 months from my surgery date to get it.

I call them all the time to inquire about information and they are always so kind and compassionate to me.

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I have care first blue choice open access in Maryland and yes i need 6 months but as long as i go to my meetings and get my psych eval i get my surgery paid for after i pay my like 200 dollar copay my insurance is amazing maryland is a great state and ive never had an issue with coverage

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I had exceptional luck with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Very fast approval, bills paid quick, reasonable copays.

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I had exceptional luck with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Very fast approval, bills paid quick, reasonable copays.

This is so good to hear. I have the same insurance .. They waive the 6 months if bmi is greater tha. 50 and mine is.. Did u have to do 6 months?

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I have Health Alliance through the Illinois Marketplace, and it has been a dream so far. First letter approval and very friendly and helpful when I've called with questions or with the one issue I had (dietitian was supposed to be pre-authorized with the surgery but wasn't, so I got a charge for it even though it should have been free, and they fixed it right away).

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On 3/10/2018 at 10:04 AM, newmebithebypass said:

I have care first blue choice open access in Maryland and yes i need 6 months but as long as i go to my meetings and get my psych eval i get my surgery paid for after i pay my like 200 dollar copay my insurance is amazing maryland is a great state and ive never had an issue with coverage

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This! I have had VSG under Aetna in Maryland and now I am having RNY under Kaiser mid-Atlantic in Maryland. For the Aetna I only needed 3 months before being approved & with Kaiser it seems like anyone is approved as long as you follow their 6 month program to a tee!

But I never had to directly deal with the insurance companies. Have had everything handled bu docs, nurses/program coordinators. All of whom have been extremely helpful.

Hope you find luck with your insurance company

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    • 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.
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      1. LeighaTR

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    • 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.

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        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.

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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