I started my journey in February. I have BCBS of Florida. My particular plan has a clause that specifically states they don’t cover bariatric surgery so my first submission was denied. I was approved on my first appeal on 8/19. The doctor’s office told me that once my insurance sent me the physical approval letter in the mail, to bring it in and they would schedule me. After many calls to the insurance and calls and emails back and forth with my doctor’s office I found out that BCBS would not send the letter because of the clause and the doctor’s office would not schedule without. Even though they can check in the electronic system and print out the approval there, they insisted. Apparently they have had problems with the insurance paying after the fact. I have to applaud a few of the girls in the office and in corporate that persisted and on 10/5 I was informed that they had obtained a letter from BCBS and I was good to schedule. It’s a good thing they scheduled me for 11/17 because my approval expires 11/22!