Insurance Coverage Blue Cross

tadpole08 · September 30, 2008

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota insurance. How difficult is it to get insurance to cover the procedure when you don't really have any weight related medical issues?

KyBandChick · September 30, 2008

It really doesn't have as much to do with the brand of insurance you have as it does your employer and what type of coverage they purchased. I would start by reading your benefits booklet and the written exclusions. Some insurance plans have a written exclusion where they will not pay at all. I think most insurance companies require a BMI of over 40 with no comorbidities (I could be wrong on this one). If your insurance has the coverage you will be able to find out their requirements. Most insurance companies also require you to jump through some hoops before they approve you if you qualify. Good Luck

heidib · October 1, 2008

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota insurance. How difficult is it to get insurance to cover the procedure when you don't really have any weight related medical issues?

Hi there! I have bcbs of Mass. I have heard they are one of the easiest for getting approved & fastest! I had NO problems they approved mine in about a week :thumbup: I've heard of some only waiting a day! I had No medical issues either. You need to be about 100 lbs over weight {by the charts the dr use}. good luck! If you have any ?? let me know! :drool:

heidib · October 1, 2008

The whole process went quickly for me because I found out what I had to do & did it all quickly.

Call your ins. tell them what your doing & ask them what you need to do next.

Usually after that you go to you PMC & talk to them & they talk to your ins.

find a surgen {I found mine right on here}

go to info seminar your surgen gives

meet w/ surgen & they will help from there!

HOPE THIS HELPS!! :thumbup:

trayrenee · October 1, 2008

I have BC/BS of Minn and it was so easy to get approved was anti-climatic. From the time my doc submitted my paperwork until the time I got a call that I had been approved it was .... FIVE DAYS!!!

If you haven't done so already, call your insurance and ask them to send you what is required for bariatric surgery approval. I believe it was fairly standard (they sent me a photo copy of some policy). I had to:

1. Have my surgery at a Center of Excellence (go to their web site and you can find a list of them)

2. Psych Eval

3. Letter from GP stating you are fit for surgery w/thyroid tests in the last 6 months

4. 6 months of documented supervised weight loss and a consult w/a dietician

Like I said, nothing crazy. The surgeon I am going through is part of a whole program and they handle all the insurance stuff. Another nice thing is I was approved for surgery any time within a years time -- from what I understand that is not the usual -- it's usually 60 days from approval date!