Does anyone know if you using a surgeon/center of Excellence (designated this by BCBS) if you have BCBS insurance make the approval process go any smoother or quicker? (provided you meet all their guidelines for surgery - which I do).

Thanks in advance!

There is a relatively new certification available for hospitals called the "Center of Excellence" - these are so carefully looked at that Medicare will cover the procedure if done at one of these centers. As far as I am concerned that is far more preferable than leaving the country and getting the procedure done where you really don't know what regulations the facility is required to follow. So the chances of other insurance companies covering the procedure done at a Center of Excellence is much greater - good luck

Thank you for your reply. Actually to kind of answer my own question the insurance liason for the facility called me back and I asked her basically the same question and she said with BCBSNC if I meet the requirements, I'll basically be approved. I hope she just wasn't telling me what I wanted to hear. I'll post back with a follow up at some point when hopefully all is said and done.

Thanks again!

Using a "Center of Excellence" was a requirement of my BCBS policy. I was approved in one try in less than 4 days after my surgeon sent on the paperwork.

That's encouraging to hear Foofy (that's a cute name) :smile2:.

Thanks. It's what my DH calls me and what he put on my license plate. He also drew the picture of me for my avatar.

Good luck.