Savedbygrace

Congrats on the surgery date Sarah. We will share the same date! I think there are at least 2 maybe 3 others on here with the 24th. I think it will be great to be able to keep in touch!!

Any Miles or Schmitt patients with BCBS care to share their EOB from surgery? I'm still in limbo on how much this is going to cost me in the end. I know the deposit amount but I have NO IDEA what to expect after the insurance is billed. It looks like I would be better off financially to spend the night but I'm not sure if they will let me. I just wondered if anyone minds giving me a run down on their bills.. including physician, anesthesia, hospital, the band itself?! Thanks!!

It was nice to meet you too Shawna! I too think its good to be made aware of the statistics! Today was the first appointment that my husband wasn't able to attend with me. I have preop next Friday so we are going to spend the night with my brother and attend the support group Saturday. So tell your hubby to come on! I think it's good for them to know what to expect also! Looking forward to the future!!!! :-)

The seminar I went to was held by Dr. Miles and I was much more inspired when I left than I was with the other surgeon seminar I attended. I too have been a little uncomfortable with the lack of attention to my case recently but do believe that they are doing the best they can. I attended the required nutrition class today with Veronica & Ashley. It brought back the passion and confirmation I had that they do have our best intrest at hand. I do encourage you to attend other seminars if you are not comfortable with them. I feel you need to be very confident in your decision! This is going to be a long process with quite a few follow ups. Customer Relations is very important to me as that is my profession but when it comes to MY BODY.. I want experience 1st of all but also a staff that is willing to teach me each step of the way! Although I know they are busy, (that shows experience) I feel they will be there to help me work the tool! Wishing you the best!!! :-)

What all are you all doing to get ready for the surgery? The lifestyle change? Have a shopping list for preop shopping? Already joined gym? Figured out your favorite protein shake? Any tips you've learned??

I must agree that chaos must have hit in that office once all the BCBS patients (like myself) finally got finished with their 6 month diet. I never had any issues getting a reply to an email within a day of sending before but here lately it's been a little tougher. I loved the staff during the seminar, support group and my initial eval and am trying to be understanding about how busy they must be. But I do feel like I'm having to pull all the information out of them. This is new to all of us and I feel they might need to revamp their protocol so that we feel more comfortable going into this. I do prefer experience though so that was the seller for me!! Goodluck to all of you!!

Nina - Here is the policy for BCBS of AL. It looks like it's alot alike other than BC requires 6 COMPLETED months before submitting for approval, it also has BMI requirements, as most do. Is BCBS your primary or Aetna. NORMALLY... the secondary follows the primaries guidelines. I would call and ask the insurance company if that is so in WLS. https://www.bcbsal.org/providers/policies/final/053.pdf

Hi! What questions do you have? I've been approved with BCBS of AL. Not sure about the requirements of Aetna but will be glad to help if I can. I am in Huntsville also.

Do you know who host that support group? Is it affiliated with a surgeon? I am looking for a location to start a group. I was just wondering if the hospitals allow only doctor affiliated groups to use their facility. Thanks!

I'm not sure it would help any more but i gave them EVERYTHING I had. It can't hurt. You did the WW 16 months straight? Where they within the last 24 months? If so that's awesome. Shouldn't have any problem as long as your BMI for the last 3 yrs qualifies.

I have BCBS of AL PPO. My records showing bmi for 3 years came from 3 different doctors. I was approved. Good luck!!

Any April bandsters here?

What type facility is your support group in? We need to get one started here but have no idea where to hold it. My church is about 15 miles from the main town - making it about 30-40 from some of the people who would come. Any suggestions?

i had 2 that were faint -just like this and from dollar general and was pregnant.... just very early.

From my understanding, Shawna is right. I was very impressed with Dr. Miles' group. A seminar is very informative and required as well. Goodluck!!

Unless something changes, I am scheduled for the nutrition class April 9th also. I really hope this class helps!! (Gives step by step what to expect ... cans and can'ts etc) See you there!!:biggrin2:

Thats what I was told too. If you are diagnosed with sleep apenia, they require you to take the CPAP with you to surgery. I'm not sure if they automatically put it on your or just have it for stand by. What I wondered is why if it's required for this surgery... why not every surgery. I've been put to sleep several times and was never asked this. Maybe its due to the location they are working with. The sleep study wasn't really that big of a deal... I just hated it because I knew they were watching me on a camera and the bed was VERY uncomfortable.

Congrads on hearing back from her and getting the date set!! Are they booked up until May?? Mine is set for April 24th but we are thinking of taking a company trip to vegas that weekend so I was thinking of changing it but haven't confirmed the trip yet. I wondered when it would be rescheduled to if I asked. sleep study... I was required to do that too. HATE every minute of that night but was willing to do whatever it took. It was required by Dr. Miles, not my insurance.

Praying for you!! Even when we cant trace Gods hand, we can trust His heart!

What a whack!! Can't wait to hear from you after todays appt!

Congrats on the approval!! I had faxed my paperwork in to Neomi and a week later I called to make sure they got it because I never heard anything. When I called, she told me I had already been approved. So ... that was around March 7th and my sugery was set up that day for April 24th. I have to go April 9th for the nutrition class that is required and then back on the 18th for preop testing. About 2 weeks later, I got the actual approval from BCBS in the mail. If I were you, I'd call. I've emailed twice since then and haven't heard back either. I'm sure they are very busy bc I used to hear back within the hour but haven't on the last 2 emails. Let me know your date when you get it!! Good luck!!!!!!!!!

Is it an hmo, ppo, etc? Although that's where headquarters is, if the offer you ins in NJ you should be able to use it locally! We have patients that come for prosthetics and they have BC of IL, BC of GA.... etc and we're in Alabama. I'd just ask them for a list of surgeons in your area.

Congrats!!!!

That IS crazy! I have bc of al also and wasn't aware of that. I wonder if we get a year of fills or something with the initial payment from bc. When I was at Dr. Miles seminar, if you paid cash, the first year was included. I sure hope that's the case with ins too. I've heard that the fills are quite expensive!

Any word Missy? I have BCBS of AL and using Dr. Miles too!