Hello everyone! I know there are a ton of posts out here regarding IL BCBS and their 6 month weightloss requirement, which I think I have probably read thru ALL of them... lol Here is my question.

I have been going to WW since January 2008, and started seeing my PCP monthly beginning in April 2008. So right now, I am 3 or 4 months into my 6 months (depending on how you count the 6 months), and that is starting when I started to see my PCP. Do you think there is a chance, they will count January thru April as my 6 month weightloss too? I am sure hoping, otherwise, I have another 3-4 months before surgery...and I am growing increasingly impatient like many others here....

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated... Thanks!!!!

Amy:confused:

It is possible. If you have documentation for your visits, and your PCP is willing to sign off on it, it may pass. Check with the bariatric team, either the surgeon's office or the dietician. They may be able to tell you more. Don't ask BC. Their customer service people are clueless about bariatrics. I was waiting for approval and I called Maryland Carefirst BC/BS. The idiot there told me I would likely be denied because I used and out-of-network provider for my psych consult and my 6 month diet. I mentioned that they accepted Weight Watchers, Nutrisystem and the like, how is that in network? He couldn't tell me anything but that I would probably be denied. Out-of-network just means you pay out of pocket and your insurance doesn't. Needless to say I was having a meltdown and trying to call my surgeon's office, who was also trying to call me to tell me I had been approved. So word to the wise. Questions? Ask the bariatric team.

My situation was really similar. I had eight months of WW and BCBS of IL wouldn't let me count any of it. I had to start over because I wasn't seeing a doctor for weight loss each month in addition to the WW.

Yeah that is what I was afraid of. I guess at least I am already 3-4 months in. Did you count your new 6 months as 180 days or 6 visits, which would have ended up being really only 5 full months. April to May = 1 month, or April, May = 2 months Also, please tell me your experience with BCBS IL after you completed your 6 months w/ Dr. Thank you for your reply!!

Amy

BCBS counted mine as June =1, July = 1, ect. After the six months, everything went through really quick. They have paid what they said that they would too. THe six month issue was my only snag.