What a scare...

[Cherishthepast 20]

Over a month ago I received a letter from the insurance stating that I was approved. However, I received a call from the PS office 2 days ago that they only received approval of the panniculectomy CPT code 15830. After 2 sleepless nights and nothing resolved, I called my insurance company again today and spoke w/ a knowledgable rep who informed me that both the abdominoplasty CPT code 15830 and panniculectomy CPT Code 15847 have been approved. Yes, I obtained the authorization/confirmatin numbers.

That was one heck of a scare, with less than 2 weeks before the scheduled procedure. I'm back to being a happy camper again.

[MyDay2Shine 1]

It looks like your surgery was scheduled for last week! Let us know how things went when you are feeling up to it. That is great that your insurance covered your procedure. Good for you!

[Cherishthepast 20]

It looks like your surgery was scheduled for last week! Let us know how things went when you are feeling up to it. That is great that your insurance covered your procedure. Good for you!

It went very well. My incision wasn't hip to hip but about 5 inches or so around my back on both sides. I had muscle repair and some Lipo along top of my stomach, especially under the breast were it was lumpy and rather weird looking due to the fat pockets. They removed 4 lbs of skin and fat and also moved my port.

My drains were removed today, that was great as I no longer feel like or look like I have tubes running in every place. I've actually started chronicalling it on my thread "had Tummy Tuck Wednesday". Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

My lapband and PS have asked me to come to a lapband seminar and talk about my experience and how I was able to get it covered by insurance - they are also amazed that insurance covered everything.

[bayareanan 24]

How difficult was it to have insurance pay? Did you have infections in the folds, or just low hanging skin?

[sapphire12305 9]

Over a month ago I received a letter from the insurance stating that I was approved. However, I received a call from the PS office 2 days ago that they only received approval of the panniculectomy CPT code 15830. After 2 sleepless nights and nothing resolved, I called my insurance company again today and spoke w/ a knowledgable rep who informed me that both the abdominoplasty CPT code 15830 and panniculectomy CPT Code 15847 have been approved. Yes, I obtained the authorization/confirmatin numbers.

That was one heck of a scare, with less than 2 weeks before the scheduled procedure. I'm back to being a happy camper again.

[sapphire12305 9]

hi, congrads.. my insurance denied mine. i'm happy your approved you'll feel great afterwards!

[goldngrll 9]

It went very well. My incision wasn't hip to hip but about 5 inches or so around my back on both sides. I had muscle repair and some Lipo along top of my stomach, especially under the breast were it was lumpy and rather weird looking due to the fat pockets. They removed 4 lbs of skin and fat and also moved my port.

My drains were removed today, that was great as I no longer feel like or look like I have tubes running in every place. I've actually started chronicalling it on my thread "had Tummy Tuck Wednesday". Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.

My lapband and PS have asked me to come to a lapband seminar and talk about my experience and how I was able to get it covered by insurance - they are also amazed that insurance covered everything.

I was wondering that same thing...how DID you get it covered???

[Cherishthepast 20]

I was wondering that same thing...how DID you get it covered???

Other than the fact that the PS said I have wonderful insurance (whatever that means...) I made it a point to note rashes on the questionnaire the LB doc has us fill out at every appointment. I also mentioned the same to my internist during regular appts. I did this from the first month of having the band until my most recent fill a couple months ago.

I also talked with the folks at BCBS MA member services, they actually directed me to the policy that spelled out the coverage. I sent a copy of the policy to the PS and noted for him the pages (19 & 26 in my case) that referred to the coverage, asking that he submitted this information with the claim for pre approval.