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

BCBSIL anyone? How long to approve?



Recommended Posts

Usually the class meets once a month... you weight in and then go about the class.. you come back a month later and weigh in again... it's about 5 classes for sure because the last month you meet up with your Dr. And discuss how the classes went and to see any of your weight progress... they are only an insight to the whole journey after the classes do your homework.. get your stuff in order create a routine and stick with it because aftervtje surgery it's a lifestyle adterwards..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didnt have any set number of visits. Went to the info seminar, consult with surgeon, bariatric nurse, nutritionist, 2 3 hour classes, upper GI, phsyc consult and now that insurance is approved just need a date, some pre-OP tests and meet the surgeon again. All told, 2-3 months assuming I get a June date. Started process in March.

Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

BCBSIL Approved in 3 weeks. However they approved on 4/5 but then my surgeon's office was so backed up I didn't get a surgery date until 5/2. Surgery is 6/3. I did my seminar 1/30 and had my initial consult 2/15 so the whole process will be about 4 months total.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That's what I worry about. How soon my surgeon will be available, I hope it won't be too long. I'm not too good with waiting and I'm super anxious to move forward and I'm soooo close.

Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I called BCBSIL yesterday to check. I was told that the policy changed in Feb 2019. They no longer have a requirement for a set number of visits. They will leave the number of visits for your doctor to decide when you're ready for surgery. The insurance coordinator for my surgeon's office will submit on the day of my last visit, June 3.

They have given me date of pre-op class and two tentative surgery dates- one in June and one in July. Surgery depends on when they receive an approval from insurance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's so crazy, there are so many people that get a surgery date before their insurance gets approved... what's up with my docs office. Geez they want all the other stuff first. Just want to plan damn it [emoji36]... I'm ok, just had to vent that out. So frustrated.

Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It's so crazy, there are so many people that get a surgery date before their insurance gets approved... what's up with my docs office. Geez they want all the other stuff first. Just want to plan damn it [emoji36]... I'm ok, just had to vent that out. So frustrated.

Sent from my SM-G965U using BariatricPal mobile app


It seems that the doctor wants to help you out in getting in an ealry date because .. they already know how long it takes to get the approval... Imagine if they didn't schedule till you got approved... 1 to 3 weeks for the approval.. then to see if the Dr is available for surgery.. now you have to wait 2 to 3 months for him to be available.... I got scheduled the day after my insurance said ok but that's because my insurance approved 3 days later.. I choose 8-2-19 because I wanna enjoy summer with out restrictions and I don't wanna get too dehydrated during the hottest June/July months of the year..Goodluck and stay positive

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J727AZ 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

    • 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.
    • 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.
  • 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

    ×