fluffytofit

Oh, yep...BCBS Basic plan covers more. You would think that the BCBS Standard covered more because it is more expensive, but it doesn't.

I have BCBS Federal, basic plan through the VA. Best insurance ever. Covers pretty much everything! My file was submitted on 10/29. Called insurance company today, and they are just waiting to get my psych clearance.

I have the same insurance. Can you guys give me a timeline...like 1st visit this date, 2nd visit this date, right up until submission etc. I'm submitting this week, and I'm soo nervous!

So I had my last visit today. Submitting to insurance this week!

Should I expect to be seen again in November? What do you think about them submitting after tomorrow? She said they submit to insurance before patients are all done with their pre-reqs all the time.

Hey ladies...just wanted to post an update on where I'm at in this process. August 14th- 1st Visit with Surgeons Office September 20-2nd Visit with Surgeons Office, and 1st with Dietician October 27th-3rd Visit with Surgeons Office, and 2nd with Dietician. At my September appt, my surgeon's NP said they will submit to insurance after my next appt, which is tomorrow. I already had my psych eval, labs, EKG, and barium swallow done. My gallbladder was removed years ago, so I didn't need the ultrasound for that. I do have question though, and I've gotten varying answers. Does my first visit with the surgeon count? The bariatric coordinator said it did, but I read on here that some didn't. My best friend had hers submitted today, although she doesn't have FEP BLUE. It's getting real!!!

Hey guys, I keep getting conflicting answers on who I am supposed to be seeing for my "medically supervised weight loss program." My insurance is Federal BCBS, and they require 3 months of the supervised visits. Some people are saying I should be seeing a nutritionist for these appointments, while others are saying I should be seeing my PCP. I know I need a nutrition consult, as well as psych consult in addition to those. Can someone, anyone, please shed some light on this for me? I have called BCBS to clarify twice now, and it seems as if they are just reading from the handbook, and not giving me any clear answers. Thank you!

It definitely varies. In NC, the surgeons office wouldn't even see me until I completed my supervised diet requirements for my insurance. I transferred to NY, and I'm doing everything through the surgeons office. Thanks guys!

Thanks for all the replies. I think I am just going to do everything through my surgeons office. They do all of the visits right in their office.

Hey guys, I also have federal BCBS. I had a question maybe you could help me with. Who are the supervised visits supposed to be with? Your PCP, nutritionist, or surgeon? Is the nutrition visit in addition to these visits? I called customer service, but she kept telling me to ask my PCP who I should be seeing. I saw my PCP for weight loss visits last year, Oct 2015, and Nov 2015. I chickened out, but I'm ready to continue, and will go back in August for another weight loss visit. Will the 2 visits from last fall count for my 3 months? The rep at BCBS told me my visits have to be 3 months before the surgery, specifically, she said if my surgery were in December, I'd need my 3 visits done in Sept, Oct, Nov. It doesn't sound right to me. She was even questioning it herself. Sorry, if this is confusing, I can clarify things if needed. Thanks!

Hi, all! I have Federal BCBS insurance. My requirements for the sleeve are 3 months of supervised visits. I started my journey last year with the same insurance, so October 2014, and November 2014 are 2 of my supervised visits. I moved out of state to start another federal job, and my insurance didn't kick back in until now. Will my 2 other visits still count? I'd like to pick right back up where I left off, but I wasn't sure if I had to start my supervised visits over. Any advice is appreciated!

Thanks for the advice! I might look into another hospital. Maybe those requirements were of that particular surgeon. You've given me great hope

Nora, the 2 visits I did were with my PCP. My surgeons office is now saying that they have to be done by a nutritionist, or the actual surgeon. Does that make sense at all? I was put on a 1500 cal diet one month, and tried a prescribed diet pill the next month. Nora, sorry another question. Does it have to be done at a Blue Distinction Center? Is the coverage different?

BMI over 40, or over 35 with comorbidity 3 months of supervised diet visits. Psych eval. There may be other things required by the surgeons office that is relative to your health. sleep apnea test, or EGD. Am I missing anything?

So, I spoke to the bariatric coordinator at the hospital I will be having my surgery at. She's familiar with my insurance, and the visits are actually with their nutritionist, and/or surgeon. I really like that the entire process is right through the surgeons office. So, yeah I do have to start over with my visits. I'm not discouraged though. Ive been fat my whole life, whats a few more months?

Kathy-Thanks for the reply. I had called them before with a different question, and they weren't very helpful. I'll try again, and give BCBS a call on my lunch break, and come back to update the post.

Hey, all! Just wondering if anyone else is beginning their sleeve journey. I have BCBS FEP, and my insurance requires a 3 month physician supervised diet. I went to my first appointment a few weeks ago. My doctor started me on a 1500 calorie diet, and a prescription weight loss drug, Belviq. I have newly diagnosed hypertension, and my BMI is 42. I sent in my packet to the surgeons office, and what I love about them is they have a "bundle" appointment. I will see the surgeon, nutritionist, and psychologist all in one visit! If anyone else is just starting, tell me how you're doing

DaiDai, I feel the same way, with my BMI at 42! I'm 5'0, and 218lbs. People always tell me I carry my weight well. I never really understood what they meant by that but, my knees hurt, and I'm sick of being overweight. I was really shocked at my hypertension diagnosis, which is why I looked into the sleeve. Tcrone, congrats! That's great news. I hope to be in your shoes in a few months! Carmen Luellman, age doesn't matter here We all have the same goal, and that's to be healthy! Patience is not one of my virtues, either. I'm really anxious to have my next weight check with my PCP!