reelkookie

I have spoken to my insurance (Anthem Blue Cross) and was told that I meet the criteria for approval for lap band and it should be no problem once my PCP starts the referral process. I've already looked into surgeons in my area and chose Dr. Coirin (Modesto, CA) and have even signed up for his seminar next week. Seminar is mandatory for a consultation to even be scheduled. Everything seems great except for the staff at my doctors office. They told me they would start to do the referral process the day after my appt. It has been over a week and as of today they have still not started. I spoke with her today and she said she was really backed up and will try to get to it soon. I was hoping to have my referral done by seminar time, which would be 2 1/2 wks after my doctors appt. My insurance said it should only take 3-4 days. I know I'm being a impatient (mixed with a little bit of excitement), but I just needed to b***h it out.

I'm glad to hear it all worked out for you. My insurance seems to be helpful so far but my doctors office staff is real slow. I'm hoping everything will work out, but I would like to have this info just in case. ana95355@hotmail.com

I myself am a mom and in the "pre-surgery" phase. My insurance has said I'm covered but I am still waiting for my doctors office to just get it together and submit the referral request. It has been over a week and insurance says its suppose to only take about 3 days. My emotions are in one gear right now - impatient lol. I think once my doctors staff starts the process then I'll slowly start going into the excitment phase. Congrats to you on your lap band journey and hope all goes well.

You are lucky to move that quickly. I've heard that some insurance require you to do a 6 month diet as well as other appts/labs. There are some that automatically qualify you on your BMI and any related health conditions. It can also depend on how long it takes the doctors staff to submit everything. So congrats to you, seems like you got lucky with your insurance and with the doctors staff.

Congrats!!! its great to have the support of friends and family. Hope teenagers aren't as bad as you say, my 2 girls are a few years away from it

I have just started looking into the Lap Band. I searched online and found Dr. Coirin in Modesto. I even signed up for the seminar already (Aug 17, 2011). I have already contacted my insurance company, Anthem BC Medi-Cal, and I was told that due to my BMI I do qualify for coverage for the procedure. The problem is that my PCP, Dr. Recto DeLeon, and Dr. Coirin are not part of the same doctors group/network. I was told by Anthem BC that I will have to have my PCP refer me to a surgeon in his network that does this procedure. Unfortunately, my PCP office staff says that they cannot tell me which surgeons are in his group, that is info that he will give me on our next appt (Aug 16). I was hoping to find out what other surgeons in this area perform this procedure so I can hopefully get a head start on doing some research on them. I am sorry this post is so long, I am just really hoping that there is someone out there that can offer some info.