culverhouse5

I have had the consult with he doctor, the psych and nutrition appt. I have to get clearance from my PCP, who says I will regret this surgery, and doesn't want to give me the clearance letter. I am hoping to get the letter this week. Then my doctors office will send everything for approval. I have anthem blue cross blue shield. They said it takes about 30 days to be approved. What is everyone else's experience....does it always take 30 days, does it take longer sometimes? What are some reasons that insurance will deny it? I'm so scared I won't get approved for it..... Thanks!!!

Nothing has been sent to my insurance yet. My weight loss dr has to have the clearance letter from my PCP before my file can be sent to insurance for approval. I am going to see my PCP doctor one more time to try and get this letter. If he doesn't so it I'll find a new doctor ASAP. ( I won't be going back to my current doctor after I get the letter from him)

I have been trying with no luck to get the surgical clearance letter from my primary care doctor. It is required by my insurance for approval for the surgery. I went to see him again last week and he says he can't do the letter with out a new EKG, blood work etc. He did an EKG last month an blood work 2 months ago. The first time I spoke with him regarding this letter he was very negative about lapband and wanted me to try weight loss pills thru his office. He also old me all pre-op stuff needs to be done by him because he knows my history..........I think he just wants me to come to him often so he can charge my insurance :-/ I'm worried that if I go to a new doctor for the letter they won't do it either. Any advice?

I am still getting everything in order so my doctors office can send my paperwork off to be approved by insurance. I too plan to tell everyone AFTER the surgery. I think most people would be supportive but I don't want any negative comments and or uneducated opinions Good luck!!!

Great job!!! I can't wait to be approved by insurance and have my surgery.

Wow! 6 months is a long time. I had Cigna a couple of years ago, glad I don't have it now.

A month isn't too bad. But I'm sure it went by slow for you

I hope it doesn't take too long! I'm so ready to have this done. Thanks for the info

I have just started the process of getting insurance approval for my lap-band surgery. I went to the orientation to learn about it, I've had the first consult with the doctor, had the psych evaluation and a visit with the dietician. The only other things my insurance requires is a thyroid test and PCP clearance. They said once I get those last two things they send it to the insurance for approval. They said it could take 30 days, does it always take that long?I Is there anything I need to buy or do before surgery? Any advice is welcomed! I'm terrified about this, I'm scared I will go through all of this and not loose any weight. Thanks!!!

Are you allowed to have these after the lapband? ~Jodie

Thanks everyone! ~Jodie

I guess I should stop drinking it now, so I'm not craving it after surgery. Thank you for the info!

Thank you all so much for the information. ~Jodie

Thank you for the info!!!! ~Jodie

I have just started this journey. I am getting things in order to get the insurance approval. I will have my surgery with Dr. Aguila at Memorial Hospital as well!!!