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@girlhasnofluff i sent you a pm

I'll be honest, i don't know a lot about the HSA/FSA my plan also has a carryover of $500. Any advice you can offer on it would be helpful. I'm applying or getting the account for the next year, as in 2017 which will be the same year as my surgery so nothing will be in 2016.

@@Crazymomof4 my surgery in the middle of January. How was the psych appt? I wondered about that. I have my EGD early next month Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@Crazymomof4 when is your surgery? I have him too, but I'm having bypass Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@claddagh66 oops I misread it Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

@@claddagh66 we're on the same track, haha this is my fourth month, December being my last also. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

So i have Highmark, BCBS insurance and i'm in PA. My surgery is slated for sometime in mid-January, this is my third almost fourth month of supervised PCP weight loss/exercise. My question is, how soon after will i have to pay my deductible for surgery? I've already paid my co-pays for doctor's visits and for my pre-op testing. My workplace offers a payment program loaded onto a credit card that is deducted from your paycheck, in manageable amounts every pay, i was thinking of taking advantage of that. Anyone know when actual surgery payments begin after surgery?

I have a question for you about Dr. Eid, assuming you had insurance, did you have to pay all your bills up front? Like after the hospital stay, that kind of thing. Or did they bill you?

I go to my PCP for my monthly appts, and I just met him about 3 weeks ago. I have 3 months left, so I'm about halfway there. I go back to see him in December, then my pre-op in January, and surgery mid-January. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have Dr. Eid too, what a small world haha. I actually don't live in Pittsburgh, I live in State College, but I just chose to have my surgery in Pitt. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

West Penn too! Who was your surgeon? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App I'm having bypass as well. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am! I'm having my surgery in PIttsburgh also.

Hey all, it's me again...still confused and looking for help. So i live in PA and have Highmark BCBS insurance, this was my second month of supervised weight loss/exercise PCP visit. My question to anyone who is or has had sleeve or bypass surgery with this insurance, do i need 6 consecutive monthly visits with a dietician as well? The insurance requirements is so vague and i can't get a straight answer when i call my insurance company. It's frustrating and confusing, anyone able to offer help? I had a consultation with a dietician who gave me a nutrition plan to follow, she also read the requirements and said it looked like only a consultation was enough along with 6 monthly PCP appointments. Help!!

Exercise physiologist? Hmm, my plan doesn't say anything about that. I called and got some info today, she told me 6 times with you PCP or NUT or like 3 and 3 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thank you ladies! I'm calling and demanding someone answer this question, it's so ridiculous. I have my first appt with my surgeon early next month, they seem familiar with all types of insurances so I'm praying they know Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks! I googled it and figured it out shortly after Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey all! I'm new to this community as well as to gastric sleeve surgery. I have been thinking about this procedure for months now, and finally after researching it, i've decided to go ahead with it. I contacted my insurance company, which is Highmark, BCBS of PA and this is what i've concluded is needed: BMI - over 40. Age of 18 and over. 6 visits (1 visit per month) with my doctor, who will monitor my weight and exercise regime. A psych eval. A nutritionist visit. Anyone know if there is anything else I need, or have left out? I need some help with this. Also, is it ONE visit to a nutritionist? Also, how will my doctor be "monitoring" my exercise? I can see weight, whether it increases or decreases each month. I live in PA, so those are the specifics i've researched, anyone else have any input? Help!

Dumb question, but what does "NUT" stand for? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hey girl, i'm from Clearfield, Pa too. Small world!! Good luck with your surgery, i'm having the gastric sleeve surgery,

^^You're so right about the 6-month process being a way to teach you to eat...I think that's the idea behind it. I think they basically want to know you're committed to following the process step-by-step. Another question for someone who might know to answer, did anyone join Weight Watchers as a requirement for this insurance? Mine says "The patient must participate in and meet the criteria of a structured nutrition(WW, Jenny Craig) and exercise program."

I live about 3 hours from Pittsburgh, and have a doctor in my hometown I've been going to see, and will need to see a nutritionist for 6 consecutive months before surgery. Is it ok for me to find a nutritionist around my area that's closer to me? I don't want to have to travel so far every month Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'm in PA and considered Magee for my choice of surgery. I'm also considering Dr. Ramanathan, is she requiring you to lose weight on your own before she'll go surgery? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Do you guys think weight watchers online would be an acceptable form of structured weight loss for this? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Thanks guys, you've really helped a lot! Best wishes to absolutely everyone I'm thinking you're right about the insurance not necessarily needing you to have all the tests, but the surgeon to require it--makes sense, to be healthy and on the safe side about it. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have an appt with my primary doctor Tuesday, I figured I would see a surgeon when I was ready to have the surgery, and the 6 month visits would be to a nutritionist or my doctor. Should I see a surgeon first? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App