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

how long for BCBS approval?



Recommended Posts

I have my fingers crossed - My paperwork was submitted on Friday - June 27th. I can't wait to join you guys!!

good luck, keep positive thoughts! Please keep me updated. My surgery is scheduled for August 20th I CAN'T WAIT. Maybe we will be banded around the same time! Keep your head up!:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have Horizon BC/BS of NJ and it took 1 week after completing all the criteria. I got mine today!!!! YES!!!

congrats!!! So when is your surgery scheduled for? Mine is for August 20th. Keep me updated!:)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have Horizon BC/BS of NJ and it took 1 week after completing all the criteria. I got mine today!!!! YES!!!

I have BCBSNJ too but I live in FL. What did they require of you to approve you for the WLS?

Congratulations!!

Gina

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

good luck, keep positive thoughts! Please keep me updated. My surgery is scheduled for August 20th I CAN'T WAIT. Maybe we will be banded around the same time! Keep your head up!:thumbup:

Kgranite - I have a date - Aug 1st. I am so exited and nervous all at the same time. It only took BCBS of NC 3 days to approve. I have no pre-op diet so to speak of. I have to have a clear liquid diet on July 31 and nothing after midnight.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did you get approved? I have the same ins and am going through the 6 month drs period. Did you have to go through this ?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was approved in 2 business days with bcbs of mn. my surgery is on july 16th!!!!!!! :) I had to do the 6 month diet. I did it with my pcp and the nutritionist at the center. I also got a letter from my pcp and wrote my own life history letter :mellow: I wanted to be prepared since my bmi is 40 with no health problems

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It seems like your process went really quick except the 6 month diet. Did you lose any during your diet? If so how much? I am 3 months through my diet and really haven't lost much. I am have been looking at it as though it is just a hoop I must jump through. My bmi is about 50. I know I have to start trying harder. I am at 314 and my PCP said he would like me to be under 300 for my surgery. I know I can do that pretty easy, I just have to focus.

I was approved in 2 business days with bcbs of mn. my surgery is on july 16th!!!!!!! :) I had to do the 6 month diet. I did it with my pcp and the nutritionist at the center. I also got a letter from my pcp and wrote my own life history letter :mellow: I wanted to be prepared since my bmi is 40 with no health problems

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It seems like your process went really quick except the 6 month diet. Did you lose any during your diet? If so how much? I am 3 months through my diet and really haven't lost much. I am have been looking at it as though it is just a hoop I must jump through. My bmi is about 50. I know I have to start trying harder. I am at 314 and my PCP said he would like me to be under 300 for my surgery. I know I can do that pretty easy, I just have to focus.

Well my BMI was in the 30s my insurance would not approve me at that.. so I had to gain 15 pounds and then we messured me at 5"1 instead of 5"2. So If I lost 2 pounds I would have been disqualified since I have no health problems. So my 6 month diet was basically the first time in my life I wasnt dieting. I have heard that alot of ins wont approve u for lapband if your BMI is over 50 so make sure its like 49 before u submit. Also if I were you I would skip the 6 month diet get a letter from your PCP then you write a letter and I would even just pay the 400.00 for the lawyer to help... but I cant stand the stress of the 6 months it almost killed me... during that 6 months my dad died suddenly.. I found out I had cervical cancer.. I just had a hard 6 months :) But I will have my surgery soon and they are starving me now on this liquid diet :mellow: so I lost 4 pounds in 2 days :cool2: But I am weak and sick feeling. I dont know how I will go with no food until the 16th!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just recently heard that ins doesn't like to pay for lap band if BMI is over 50. Does anyone have any first hand experience with that? I have BCBS of Minnisota. I am half way through my 6 month period and my BMI is a liitle over 50. I know I can drop it under but that is just another worry for me. Hope some of you have some info for me. Thanks:confused2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I just recently heard that ins doesn't like to pay for lap band if BMI is over 50. Does anyone have any first hand experience with that? I have BCBS of Minnisota. I am half way through my 6 month period and my BMI is a liitle over 50. I know I can drop it under but that is just another worry for me. Hope some of you have some info for me. Thanks:confused2:

My BCBS policy did not cover BMI's 50 and over. I dieted like hell before my 1st appt with the surgeon and came in at 49. I suggest you try find your benefits on-line and read the qualifications and requirements. I did not have to do the 6 month diet. I just had to provide the 5 year weight history. Not all BCBS are the same.:wink2:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

All of my paperwork was submitted to BC/BS Alliance Select in Iowa on Thursday 7/17 and I was approved the very next day Friday 7/18.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi,

I have BCBS FEP PPO in California. The surgeon's office said I would probably have to do the 6 months supervised diet thing but when I called the insurance company they said "it is not indicated." So now I am wondering, who should I believe, the surgeon's office or the insurance company? I sure hope the ins. company is right! :thumbup:

The surgeon's office also said my out-of-pocket costs would be in the neighborhood of $4500.00. Did anyone else have this high of out of pocket costs? Next month when I have my first consultation I have to fork over 200 bucks also. Is this normal?

Thanks for any and all help!

Lisa

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

    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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.
  • 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

    ×