Wow!
I also have Highmark Blue Shield. In 2011 they started covering the sleeve for patients with a BMI of 50+. They cover RNY and gastric banding with a bmi of 40 or 35 with co-morbidities.
I am looking at surgery this spring and was considering waiting to see if they changed their sleeve policy to cover me. . . I hadn't heard that they had changed it yet, but after reading your post I wonder if they have!
I just called my doctor's office....I hope I hear good news. I would prefer the sleeve as well, but if it comes to paying out of pocket vs insurance, I'll deal with the RNY.