Nat0526

That's great Tracie. My paperwork was just sent to my insurance (Carefirst BCBS) this week and I'm in the waiting phase now. It's very reassuring to hear from folks like yourself that have been approved. I hope that I get my great news in the next couple weeks! I look forward to seeing your progress and hope I'll be progressing right along with ya (lol) :crying: Nat

I would think that you should have been in contact with your insurance company directly. My surgeon's office coordinator is handling my paperwork, but I have been in contact with my insurance to verify all the requirements beforehand to ensure that I met all of their qualifications. When/if my surgery is approved (paperwork was just submitted yesterday for approval), I will be checking with my insurance company directly to verify this information and get some form of documentation of their approval before proceeding with the procedure. It's always good to have all of your documentation in hand so you have a leg to stand on if anything like this should happen. I have copies of everything I've done so far and will continue to collect and keep the documentation until well after my procedure is done. Good luck to you, I hope everything works out for you. I agree that you should ask the coordinator that handled your paperwork and told you that you had the go ahead to provide some documentation of how she received the approval! Blessings, Nat

Thanks!!! I've heard a few people on the site say that they've had to wait up to 30 days for their approval, which is just insurance bureaucracy at it's best. My surgeon's scheduler, who was submitting my paperwork, said that she has received approvals as fast as one day, but to expect anything up to 2wks. I can be patient enough to wait for 2wks, but 30 days is pushing it. In regard to losing weight during the monitored diet, last year, I lost 35lbs, but I was getting B-12 shots and taking an appetite suppressant. I also had the added incentive that I was going to Europe for my birthday (London & Paris, had a ball), but then gained it all back by the end of the year. This time around, I lost 10lbs. If it were easy to lose weight, we wouldn't need this procedure, right? My fingers are crossed for us both!! Nat

My surgeon's office is submitting my paperwork for approval today. I'm cautiously optimistic and very excited all at the same time. I'm hoping I have no issues since I've been told that the appeal process takes 6mths and I don't know that I could keep this momentum going that long when I just want my surgery like last year (lol)!!! Just wanted to put it out there and get some prayers going for me to be approved quickly! Hope springs eternal... :girl_hug: Nat

Good luck Stacy and thanks for the well wishes! My insurance covers the procedure 100% too, so I'm really hoping I have no issues with approval. We'll see. Be sure to let me know when you hear something back, ok! Nat

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond, I didn't realize that you'd responded to my comment CharMD. I was referred to a nutritionist through my surgeon's office, but you can also look for nutritionists that are listed through the BCBS network. I have a PPO plan, so I didn't need a referral to go to my nutritionist, but if you don't have a PPO plan, make sure to get a referral from your PCP so that it will be considered for your surgery. I've completed the 3mths with my nutritionist and I already had 3mths with a doctor monitored diet, so according to what I've read, I've met all the qualifications necessary. My BMI is over 40 and I got my pych eval already. Still trying to get in contact with the right staff member to ensure that my paperwork is submitted to Carefirst so I can get this ball rolling!!! I'm cautiously optimistic and very excited at the same time!! :smile: Nat

I'm a Carefirst BCBS of MD member and I called to get the information about requirements for the surgery and they mentioned everything you posted except for the information about the option to do 2 managed diets for 3mths instead of waiting the full 6mths with one. I have an appt with a nutritionist on June 9th, 2008 and want to get my ticker started. If I can get the surgery sooner than December, I'm all for it. I'll have to make sure that will work and move forward with that plan. Thanks for the info, Nat