MSnika3

May 9th! I can't believe it!

My surgeon submitted my paperwork on Tuesday and I was approved yesterday. I was informed by my surgeons office that I would have to them pay $336 in advance, but that the hospital that I will be banded will require that I pay the amount of my insurance's out of pocket expenses up front...$2500. What the *#&$^!!! I am at a loss. I've never heard of this before. A deposit, yes, but my entire yearly out of pocket? Is this common? I've not had an opportunity to speak with anyone in the hospital's billing dept. I will be calling first thing in the morning. Does anyone else have any experience with this? My insurance is with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield VA (PPO). Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

True....Anthem just approved me last week. Many others on here have recently been approved with Anthem, also. Check your specific policy. Good luck!

True, true! I have Anthem and was approved just as any others on here have been. Check your specific policy.

Congratulations! I, too, have Anthem BCBS. They are definitely fast. I got my approval in 24hrs. My surgery isnt scheduled until May 29, 2008. If it weren't for preparing my students for the end of the year state testing and all else, I would be on that table tomorrow! Good luck to you! Happy losing!

Thanks. I may consider that depending on how much I get back with the IRS rebate check.

Well, I contacted the hospital and for bariatric surgery, patients are required to pay their deductible and/or out of pocket expense two day prior to surgery. Grrrrrr! Well, I'm going to go ahead and schedule the surgery for the latter part of May... if I don't drive anywhere between now and then, I should be able to save a couple thousand in gas! :biggrin:

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely see if they can work something out. You've given me a glimmer of hope! Thanks!

insurance ---Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield VA (PPO) requirements ---a letter of medical necessity from surgeon APPROVED IN 24 HOURS!!!! :redface:

to wipe your butt, I think!

When I received my list of "recommended" psychologists and ran into the same issue. Even though none were listed as being covered by my insurance, when I called to set up an appt, I asked about cost and insurance. Apparently, there are certain codes they can use to get insurance to cover the eval. The Dr. I spoke with yesterday informed me that most insurance will pay if you file it a certain way. He asked that I pay for half his charge, then, if and when insurance pays, he would send me a refund, if any. That worked for me. So, just do some calling around with your fingers crossed.

Hello all, I contacted my insurance co (Anthem BCBS VA) a few weeks ago to find out if I had coverage for WLS. I was told that I did and that the surgical clinic would need to contact them to determine what was necessary for approval. I attended my WLS seminar last Tuesday. We were all told that we would receive a call from the surgical center on Friday after our insurance was verified so that we could start the next steps. Well, Friday I received my call. I was informed that Anthem would cover my surgery and that they only asked for a letter of medical necessity from the surgical clinic. Well, I am meeting with the surgeon tomorrow and they will be taking my vitals and what not and preparing a letter for the insurance company. Now, do I take that to mean that this is ALL that my insurance company is requiring? Or will they be asking for other documentation in stages as opposed to all at once?

Thanks, everyone! I hope this will go smoothly and quickly. I have my consult with my surgeon today, and my psych eval will be right after (I scheduled with a different dr). I'm almost afraid to be excited. Keep your fingers crossed!:Dancing_wub: