Hopefulin2021

On 12/13/2020 at 11:13 PM, Chantrella said:

I have them I started my journey October 1st 2020. I originally need 6 visits, psych evaluation, 1 dietitian visit, bloodwork, and medical clearance, but a week after my first visit it went down to three visits because I am a diabetic. I completed all my requirements before my last visit on 12/10 now it’s just the waiting game.

Yes I just finished my last class and everything is done. Wondering if I should call and see what’s next or just wait and see what happens.

On 12/12/2020 at 5:46 PM, Luna805 said:

I have BCBS and I was required to do 6 months nutritional appointments. After my 5th, my surgeon told me they changed their required classes to zero. I didn’t have to do my 6th one and had surgery 11/17. I’d ask your surgeon to look into this. I’m unsure is it’s a CA thing or across all states. Very easy getting approval. I think I waited less then a week for approval.

Yes I only have to do 5 nutritional classes tomorrow is my last one and they’ll submit everything, hoping I get approved omg

Just now, Hopefulin2021 said:

What?? What do you mean??

So you went through all the tests, nutritional classes, psych eval, and all that and they denied you? Didn’t the hospital check to make sure this is something your insurance would cover pending you did everything required?

9 hours ago, stridesforabetterme2020 said:

They wouldnt approve me bc my job underwrote it out of the policy ;(

What?? What do you mean??

Wow that’s great, when is your surgery?

18 minutes ago, IWantTheDream said:

I have BCBS and am in Jersey and I have to do psych, endoscopy, ultrasound & primary dr referral and insurance requirements were three months nutrition visits (1a month) then it was approved in a few days. I did get postponed due to COVID for two month but as soon as they opened up elective surgery I had it in about three weeks later. Very easy with BCBS.

Awesome! This gives me a ton of hope and congrats!

49 minutes ago, bufbills said:

BCBS Illinois. 3 or 4 days after submitting.

Wow awesome! This is giving me hope that it won’t take forever for an approval

1 hour ago, BigSue said:

I have BCBS Tennessee. I think there may be some differences from state to state. Mine required 3 months of medically supervised weight loss, a psychological evaluation, and a letter from my PCP (my surgeon had some additional requirements, but I think that was all that was required for insurance approval). The surgeon's office is very familiar with insurance requirements and took care of most of it. I was initially denied because the insurance company required some specific wording in the letter from my PCP. The surgeon's office sent my PCP an example letter (basically fill-in-the-blanks) and once my PCP sent the letter with the correct wording, I was approved within a few days.

Yes I’m in New Jersey and the surgeon is very well-versed in what is required. I am hoping all goes well and I get to update this forum with a surgery date. Congrats to you!

1 hour ago, RTL1234 said:

BCBS here also. My requirements were only it must be a center of excellence, once there a psych eval, nutrition appt, and then a consult. My submittal to insurance to approval back was like 6 days total. Total from start of everything to my surgery date...I started 11/6 with this surgeon and my surgery is 12/22!

Good luck!!!

Wow that’s amazing! Please keep me updated with your surgery!!!

1 hour ago, RTL1234 said:

BCBS here also. My requirements were only it must be a center of excellence, once there a psych eval, nutrition appt, and then a consult. My submittal to insurance to approval back was like 6 days total. Total from start of everything to my surgery date...I started 11/6 with this surgeon and my surgery is 12/22!

Good luck!!!

That’s amazing you’re almost there! Good luck and please let me know how it went!!

Wow it only took a month? I had to have test, bloodwork, a psych eval, and 6 nutritional classes. I finished everything and I have one more class left on Monday. I am hoping it won’t take forever and a day to get approved I am so ready for this. Did you get the surgery?

Thank you and good luck with your continued journey

Thank you so much! I have one more nutritional class then my team will submit everything I am hoping to have the surgery within 8 weeks.

Does anyone have BCBS? How was the overall process and how long did it take for approval?

I have Horizon BCBS and I have one more nutritional class on Monday then hopefully they’ll submit all of my documentation to my insurance provided abs everything goes through. I think this whole process is more stressful than the surgery!

You all are so lucky!! Please keep us newbies updated! Good luck everyone!

Hello everyone! I am new to this site and I am so happy I found it! I began my wls journey on September 1st and I am nearing the end of the line. I’ve had my bw, GI, Endoscopy, psych eval, and I have 1 more nutritional class on Monday. I am hoping that everything goes through and my insurance provider approves the surgery. I am just so ready for it. I was kinda nervous about the approval because although my insurance doesn’t require me to lose any weight I did gain about 4 lbs since my initial weigh in and I thought for sure when they submitted my paperwork I would automatically get get denied because you aren’t supposed to gain any weight. I asked my nutritionist about it and she said as long as I am back to my initial weight by the time I sign my surgical consent then I should be good to go. I have lost the 4 lbs that I gained and I go for my weigh in and last class on Monday. Anyone have a similar situation and if so what were the results? Also about how long does it take to get approved once all the paperwork is submitted? I am hoping for a date in February or March.