Those of you who have BCBSIL, how long did it take to get an answer from the time you submitted your paperwork?

I know they have 30 days to decide, but I was curious how long it took for the rest of you?

It took about a week for my approval. It took a little longer to actually get the letter in my hands.

It took right around a week and they faxed me the letter within a few hours so I could get a surgery date scheduled. Good luck:thumbup:

Oh thanks....that gives me hope.

Good luck with your approval! The waiting and wondering is tough. I have BCBS right next door in Indiana. I just found out Friday that my surgeons office faxed my paper work to the insurance company. I was a little miffed because I had asked them to wait until I had my sleep study done. If it shows apnea...that sure would help my case since it is not a "slam dunk" as they called it. Oh well...it is done and now the waiting game starts! Did any of you get a feel for what chances you have of approval from the surgeons office? I wonder if they are careful what they say as to not drum up hope.

Hello, I am new to LapBand Talk and I just received a call today saying that my paperwork had been faxed in and I am on "pins and needles" wondering if I will get approved. I have BCBS-NC. Could someone give me some feedback on how long this process could take?

I was approved on April 2, 2009!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be banded on April 24, 2009.

That is fantastic!!!!!

My paperwork was sent in on April 3rd. Pray for me everyone.

I just got the call today...approved! Wow...I am almost in a state of shock! It took about 2 weeks.

I stand corrected....My surgeon submitted my packet Mon April 6th.

I called my insurance company yesterday. They told me my packet was entered into their system and was sent over for review.

I recieved a call today at 12 noon saying I'm approved!!!

So the answer to my own question is...5 days!

I am sooooo excited....My surgery date is April 27th.

Yippppppeeee!!!!

Congrats!!! Now if you are like me...you are really going to start researching on here...this is now a reality and it is happening!

Congratulations on your approval! I bet it feels great to have a surgery date set! My paperwork has just been sent in to Cigna today and i was told to not expect any news for about ten business days. I'm so anxious to found out if I'll be approved! The waiting game is hard!:sneaky:

I have Highmark PPO Blue, do i need a referral letter from my pcp ?

Do you normally have to have the psych evaluation and any other tests (such as sleep study) done BEFORE you file with insurance?

I sure don't want to have to pay out-of-pocket for all that before being approved. It would suck to go through that and then be denied.

I didn't have to do a sleep study, but I did have to do a bazillion other things before my surgeon's insurance coordinator would file my paperwork. I was VERY thorough in making sure I had everything before I turned it in to her. I got approved in a day and a half! I'm having surgery May 18th!

I had to pay for six months of weight watchers and lots of doc appointments, therapy, nutrition classes, and other things. It does cost you some money but it's worth it!