Hi all....I am a newbie to the forum and I attended my intro seminar yesterday. The surgeon, Dr. Liao from GBMC in baltimore explained that you have to pay a $500.00 program fee before your information can be submitted to the insurance company for approval. Has anyone else had to pay a fee like this?

Moreover, has anyone had surgery at GBMC with Dr. Liao or Dr. Mo?

Also, does anyone have BlueCross/Blue Shield. If so can you explain the insurance requirements? And if they have a 3mo or 6mo suprevised weight lost requirment?

Hello All I am new to the site and I paid $500 to my surgeons office...I have did all the tests but, still have Psych. eval and Nutri. to see in July....My BMI is 36.3 but, I have hypertention, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea I have BCBS of Maryland HMO (Blue Choice) I did the six month diet...I was wondering if they have you do all these tests which I have done EKG/Echoardiaogram, Chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound, Endoscopy, Colonocopy, Pulmonary Clearance, Sleep Study why would any Insurance denie you...I haven't been approved yet because I still need the Psyc eval ...Could someone please answer this question or give me some information on this PLEASE!!!! Thanks so much Stacey

Edited June 17, 200917 yr by harleyhottie0612
wrong information

one of the drs I called had a $2500 program fee not billed to insurance, setting up chart, blah blah, after I heard the not billed to insurance I turned off my brain... then I would have to pay 10% of the billable part. I couldn't afford that at all.

Stacey - it sounds like all those extra tests are required by your surgeon. BCBS had on their qualifying list the 6-month diet, psych eval., BMI>40 or BMI>35 with 2 co-morbids. I didn't have to do those extra tests besides that -----thankfully!

Also - BCBS in general tends to approve/not approve pretty quickly - so stay in touch with them. I called and they'd approved it within 3 days.

Hey everyone, I just wanted to say hi to my fellow Marylander's... I am having my surgery at GBMC with Dr. Liao. My husband and I are both having our surgery through him... we really like him. My girlfriend had Dr. Mo and her surgery turned out great. She has lost 137 lbs and looks amazing.

I would love to chat with other Maryland's to hear their experience!

Paisleypea, Thanks so much for the info. I have asked/commented a few times but dont' get responses thanks again. TTYS smooche

Hey everyone, I just wanted to say hi to my fellow Marylander's... I am having my surgery at GBMC with Dr. Liao. My husband and I are both having our surgery through him... we really like him. My girlfriend had Dr. Mo and her surgery turned out great. She has lost 137 lbs and looks amazing.

I would love to chat with other Maryland's to hear their experience!

Hi Jaimie! Welcome! I was banded June 5th at JHU - Bayview - it went really well. I have heard good things about GBMC - I almost went there because I work in Towson.

Do you have a date yet? It sounds great that you and your husband are doing this together - it will help.

Feel free to send me a message if you want to talk.

Good luck - Linda