I am just getting started on this journey. I am wondering if anyone has gotten approval with Health Alliance *** and how difficult was it? I tried calling and the rep made it sound like all they need is a letter of necessity but thats not what the benefit book says. I am going to my primary care Monday to see about getting a referral to the surgeon and was wondering if there is anything I should know/do to make this a little less painful on getting approved. I am 5' 5.5" and around 290lbs. I have high blood pressure and if I do not do something soon will end up type 2 diabetic from what my primary has told me in the past.

I had a sleeve gastrectomy on Monday and had to go through the approval process with Health Alliance. My hospital handled all of the paperwork and there were never any hitches or questions. Then again my hospital has a very good rep, so it may be as much a question of how thorough and diligent the personnel are at your hospital, as opposed to Health Alliance itself.

When I first embarked on this journey late last year my doc told me up front that Health Alliance will want to see long-term weight loss during the pre-surgery program and no major weight gain at any point. They never gave me any specific numbers.

I was originally scheduled for surgery in April, but of course that had to be canceled due to COVID. When elective surgeries opened back up in June, I did not have to get re-approved; everything was still in place.

So no sage words of wisdom, just a singular data point.

Thank you very much. Other people's experiences with Health Alliance was exactly what I was looking for. I have tried searching here and all over google and I can find every other insurance carry but very little when it comes down to Health Alliance

I am hoping to have Dr Icaza and to have it done at Memorial Medical in Springfield.