Tamihott

I have BCBS Illinois, and am only on my second month of supervised weight loss and have already lost about 10lbs! Yikes. I do not have a super high BMI so I was worried about that too. I went to the ins website and read their medical policies about the 6 month supervised diet and was relieved that they use the 1st visit BMI. I think the main things are they want to see a change in the way you eat and excercise. What I was told is they want to see that you can stick to life and behavior modifications. My big problem is the 5 years of obesity. I only have 4 where I had "morbid obesity" I did 6 months of atkins and lost 40lbs so that weight is alot lower than the requirements. I am hoping to slide that one by them!! Good luck everyone Tamara

Ellisa, Good luck tomorrow!! I know you will do super! Let us know how things are going when you feel up to it! Tamara

Becky Sorry you have had to go through all that and still they denied you. It is a terrible stress I am sure. I was wondering if they told you why they have denied you. I even told the rep at bc/bs ok well then if you follow all of their guidelines and it is a covered benefit there should be no issues.....right and she just said you never know. It seems like a scam to me. It does get me down and make me want to give up but I think I should at least try. Maybe they just pick and choose by throwing a dart and whoever it lands on will be approved! Seems like that may be the way it works. Also what state is your surgeon in? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks again Tamara

Becky, What paperwork did you send in? Did you go to a nutrionist? That was recommended to me even though it is not required. Have they officially denied you yet? Thanks Tamara

I went for the free Lapband info night last night at LVH in Allentown. I knew I was in trouble when I entered the room and there was 50 plus people there! This was only an 1 and half hour event. The surgeon spoke who I thought to be lacking of any personality and was very brief on his explanations on this surgery! There was not enough time to answer all the questions, but he ended on time abrubtly, only to turn the floor over to the WL center manager. Who was morbidly obese and was preaching to us! It was weird. The topper is the requirements of even being condsidered for the surgery is a 6 month bunch of dr visits etc. I already have begun my 6 month of medically surpervised wl visits with my own pcp. They make you see their psychologists, there Bariatrician there nutrionist and there internist all the while billing and taking copays from you. Then they requre a 450. program fee due up front. They don't even call your insurance company to do a benefit verification! They ask you the layperson to get that info. So basically if you call your insurance company and you get the info wrong and you join the program and finish you very well may not even qualify. So you are out 450 and no surgery. They do not even promote losing much weight if any before surgery! I was very disappointed with this set up. I want a group focused on my well being and health and not soo much on my money! Many of us left very upset. Thanks for listening Tamara

I would wait and go to your free seminar and ask all your questions then! I did call my insurance company first and find out if WLS was a covered benefit, but all the other visits that they require I am sure I would have a co-insurance and or a copay. They require the notes from you pcp if you have already started your 6 month supervised weight loss, they have to "check it and make sure it has the correct info in it". Good luck and I hope you fair better than I did! Tamara

I just went for my first visit to get info and meet with the surgeon yesterday! The doctor is Dr Brian Boe. The hospital is Barix in Langhorne pa. Is very personable and informative. I was just wondering if anyone has had surgery there or by him, and what were your experiences? Thanks for any input.

Thanks! Good luck to you guys!

I have an appt at Barix in Langhorne on the 23rd of this month. I am gland to know the experience was good!