Was just wondering what insurance people have, which State they are from and how long it took for their insurance to approve or deny for the Lap Band......THANKS!

I will start:

California-Blue Shield PPO

And I am still currently waiting to hear any news from the insurance company or Surgeon's office....

Texas - BCBSTX

Next day Denial

California : Anthem Blue Cross PPO

... approved in less than 2 weeks!

Iowa

BCBS Anthem.

After i called them to check on my paper work from the doctor my approval came the next day. So just about a week all together.

Aetna PPO

Ohio

5 days!

P.S.

I also have Tricare Standard and they didn't require an approval.

BCBS Lousiana...took one day, approval

BCBS of IL PPO approved in 3 days :blushing:

Tennessee

Cigna POS

I'm still waiting, it has been 13 days

I'm now at 19 days... they are saying that they just got the information in the computer on the 4th, and it might be twenty more business days. :thumbup:

In California, with Aetna, and approval took about 2 weeks. Well, actually, it took longer. After a few weeks, I checked, and the paperwork was screwed up. Surgeon's office got it straightened out and THEN it took 2 weeks.

My drs office sent in the paperwork last Friday. It has been a week and when I call the insurance company they have nothing in the computer as of yet. They said this doesnt mean they didnt get the information, it is probably over at medical review which they are the ones that review it then decide on approval or denial...

Was this the same for you all when you called the insurance company while they were reviewing it? I am just worried...

Like I said, I have a PPO with Blue Shield of California. My approval took probably a week or two. I honestly didnt count. Infact, I got an approval letter from my insurance company BEFORE the surgeon got news of the approval. I was approved the Friday before Labor Day and had to wait until the following Tues to call the Surgeon's office to ask them about the letter. They were confused seeing as I got notice of approval first. I am set to attend a seminar on Sept 25, where I will be issued a surgery date. YAY! Hang in there all of you who are waiting for approval. If we have waited this long to start this journey, what is another few weeks or another couple months? Best of luck to all!!:mad2:

Tricare- didnt need referral but did need authorization. Got it in a week.

Texas Tricare Standard 2 days

CHAMPVA.. Didn't need approval or authorization, but surgeon still sent a authorization paper in and got paperwork back the next morning.