Waiting for Approval (Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield)

[jerseyjay 0]

My only question is does anyone have any experience with this or know anything they can tell me? If I get denied does that mean the insurance company will never let me get the surgery? or does it just mean they might make me wait 6 to 12 months before they approve me?

Also lets say they say no now and say 6 or 12 months, does that mean the months of Oct, Nov, & Dec will count or do I have to start fresh from when they say so???

Also besides being morbidly obese the only other problem I have is high cholesterol and a failed history of weight loss attempts that span the last decade and even the Clinton administration.

I really want and need this surgery.

[sassy k's mommy 1]

My only question is does anyone have any experience with this or know anything they can tell me? If I get denied does that mean the insurance company will never let me get the surgery? or does it just mean they might make me wait 6 to 12 months before they approve me?

Also lets say they say no now and say 6 or 12 months, does that mean the months of Oct, Nov, & Dec will count or do I have to start fresh from when they say so???

Also besides being morbidly obese the only other problem I have is high cholesterol and a failed history of weight loss attempts that span the last decade and even the Clinton administration.

I really want and need this surgery.

[sassy k's mommy 1]

Unforuantely, no one really knows that answer because each insurance company is different. Depending on where you are located and Surgeon's office will handle things. I didn't have to do anything to except wait. I have blue cross and blue shield. My doctor's office will continue to handle things until I am approved.

[jerseyjay 0]

Unfortunately, no one really knows that answer because each insurance company is different. Depending on where you are located and Surgeon's office will handle things. I didn't have to do anything to except wait. I have blue cross and blue shield. My doctor's office will continue to handle things until I am approved.

Thanks for the response....yes my doctors office is great and they are handling everything, the staff is really top notch. It's just the waiting part that's so hard and the time seems like it is going by so slow. I breezed past the other aspects of this process so waiting for this answer is killing me.

Nothing will stop me from getting this surgery because I am positive that something good is going to happen soon. One way or another I will make this happen and I am sure I will get some good news soon.

[sassy k's mommy 1]

Thanks for the response....yes my doctors office is great and they are handling everything, the staff is really top notch. It's just the waiting part that's so hard and the time seems like it is going by so slow. I breezed past the other aspects of this process so waiting for this answer is killing me.

Nothing will stop me from getting this surgery because I am positive that something good is going to happen soon. One way or another I will make this happen and I am sure I will get some good news soon.

[sassy k's mommy 1]

Thats the way to be stay positive. Today is two weeks since my information has been sent to the insurance program. I am worried about being denied because I don't have any health issues except for the fact of being overweight. i keep in contact with my dr's office on a weekly basis.

[rault18 1]

If it helps, my insurance is blue cross and o got approved.however,i had to fulfill a series of tests diets and info.

Just got banded 3 days ago

[honk 780]

Hi. I have Empire BC/BS. I actually got a call from my "Case Manager Nurse" less than 2 weeks from my first consult at the doctors office (I had to meet with a nurse for a physical, Nutritionist, and Psychologist for total 3 hours). So I heard by phone before I received the approval letter. Have you call customer service to see if your policy covers the surgery? I would do that now if you haven't already done so. My insurance did not require a 6 month diet. One thing to keep in mind many doctors have a weight loss requirement that they want to accomplish prior to surgery. For me it was 30-34 pounds.

[kathytitus57@msn.com 0]

I also have BCBS Empire Insurance. My info was submitted December 10th. I was told a 3-4 weeks wait period but a week ago the doctor's office called and said they had verbal aproval from my "case manager". I called the insurance company and spoke with the case manager and was told my written approval would arrive soon - I received it Wen.

I would call the insurance company if I were you though. I called after the doctor's office first told me the info had been submitted to the insurance company and the insurance company said that had not recieved anything. So I called back to the doctor's and was told "oh we still need the cardiologist report. I called and had that faxed to them and then they submitted my info to the insurance company.

This is my first post and I am so excited over my "Christmas Gift". Good luck I hope your affirmative answer comes soon.

[Russian_BANDit_inNY 4]

Hi fellows Empire Bc Bs Banders :-)

Were you required for six month of diet tracking?

I called my insurance, they mentioned nothing, I read through all 25 pages of medical mambo jumbo - NADA. I called againe and ask - they said it is up to my surgeon.

PLEASE let me know if those of you who have Empire BcBs and were required by insurance to go through medicaly supervised six month diet program.

Thx