BCBS of NC

[kristallynn13 18]

I have BCBS of NC. Is there anyone that has gone through the process with BCBSNC? I am curious about the required 6 month nutrition classes I keep reading about. I have spoken to a BCBS rep on the phone numerous times and they have never mentioned this to me. I have searched the website, read their requirements concerning lap band surgery, and it never indicated a 6 month waiting period. I would love to be able to have my surgery before Dec 1st. I have already met my yearly deductible and the surgery will be covered at 100%. Yearly deductible starts over Dec 1st and it is a high one. I will be attending the seminar June 7.

[ReJoyce 1]

I have a lot of the same questions. I am in NC as well and have Federal BCBS. I read some info in mine a few minutes ago about 3 months, but nothing about 6 mths. I haven't gone to the seminar yet. Actually, I just called the surgical center this past Wednesday.

[kristallynn13 18]

Where are you wanting to have your surgery? Where do you live?

[ReJoyce 1]

I am looking at Greenville. I live about 45 mins from there. Southern Surgical I think.

[momof3girlsnc 0]

I have a lot of the same questions. I am in NC as well and have Federal BCBS. I read some info in mine a few minutes ago about 3 months, but nothing about 6 mths. I haven't gone to the seminar yet. Actually, I just called the surgical center this past Wednesday.

I also have Federal BC/BS -- with the 3 mos - you will actually need to schedule 4 visits (one to 'start' the 3 mo clock) and then one in each subsequent month. But it could be May 31, Jun 15, Jul 15 and Aug 1 - they don't look at 30 day intervals just that the appointments occur in different months. I just finished my 4th visit and they are submitting paperwork to FEP Blue,

Federal didn't require nutrition classes - I only had the nutritionist visit as part of the preop process.

[ReJoyce 1]

Thank you so much for the info. Hopefully I get a call this week. Seems like I saw that they do their seminar the 3rd Tues or Thursday of the month. I would love to go this week.

[Karon 1]

I am looking at Greenville. I live about 45 mins from there. Southern Surgical I think.

Hello, I too am from NC. I live in winston Salem and will be having my surgery at Baptist Hospital part of Wake Forest. Dr. Fuzz Fernandez. I am scheduled to have it in June, don't have the exact date. I have United Health Care.

[ReJoyce 1]

Hello, I too am from NC. I live in winston Salem and will be having my surgery at Baptist Hospital part of Wake Forest. Dr. Fuzz Fernandez. I am scheduled to have it in June, don't have the exact date. I have United Health Care.

Wow, that is fantastic. Good luck. This is so exciting. I love and am becoming obsessed with these forums. There is so much great information here. Keep us posted.

[cat lady 10]

I have BCBS of NC. Is there anyone that has gone through the process with BCBSNC? I am curious about the required 6 month nutrition classes I keep reading about. I have spoken to a BCBS rep on the phone numerous times and they have never mentioned this to me. I have searched the website, read their requirements concerning lap band surgery, and it never indicated a 6 month waiting period. I would love to be able to have my surgery before Dec 1st. I have already met my yearly deductible and the surgery will be covered at 100%. Yearly deductible starts over Dec 1st and it is a high one. I will be attending the seminar June 7.

Hi Kristalynn: I have BCBSNC also. Did everything they asked for and was denied last summer bcause they said my HBP was not considered a comorbidity since it was under controll. I appealed with the help of NC dept of Justice.....they are great. They helped me thru the appeal and I was approved in March. I am planning to have the surgery in July when I get some time off. They did not specifically ask for a 6 month nutrition class. I did have to see a nutritionist and, psycologist, pulmonologist, cardiologist.....also needed to show diets from the past 2 years showing how I tried to lose the weight (WW, Jenny Craig, etc). My primary dr sent them a log of my weight progress for the past 2 years also. Once they get everything sent to them from your weight loss dr they either approve or deny very quickly. Good Luck & don't hesitate to appeal if necessary.

[smartdiva 0]

I am looking at Greenville. I live about 45 mins from there. Southern Surgical I think.

I live outside of Greenville and have chosen Southern Surgical - they're wonderful! Dr. Nazari is a fantastic MD - likes to do the band of course - one of the first to do them in the US I think. I also have BCBSNC State Health Plan - and they've been wonderful for getting me in before the next fiscal year of July 1st.

I went to the seminar in April and my surgery is May 31st.

I only had to see the nutritionist and the psychologist. They have a class w/ others for the nutrition. I had to give them my last thyroid test results, 5 year history of weights and diets attempted. There was not any particular waiting period or need for more than the one class piror to surgery.

They have a support group meeting the first Wednesday of the month as well. Great group of people!

[ReJoyce 1]

I live outside of Greenville and have chosen Southern Surgical - they're wonderful! Dr. Nazari is a fantastic MD - likes to do the band of course - one of the first to do them in the US I think. I also have BCBSNC State Health Plan - and they've been wonderful for getting me in before the next fiscal year of July 1st.

I went to the seminar in April and my surgery is May 31st.

I only had to see the nutritionist and the psychologist. They have a class w/ others for the nutrition. I had to give them my last thyroid test results, 5 year history of weights and diets attempted. There was not any particular waiting period or need for more than the one class piror to surgery.

They have a support group meeting the first Wednesday of the month as well. Great group of people!

Do you just write out the different types of diets you have tried? Or did you have to give them something more formal, like something showing you were a member somewhere?

[kristallynn13 18]

I spoke to BCBS-NC today and the rep assured me there was not a requirement for 3-6 month nutritional classes/counseling. We will see what happens when I get to that point.

[ReJoyce 1]

I spoke to BCBS-NC today and the rep assured me there was not a requirement for 3-6 month nutritional classes/counseling. We will see what happens when I get to that point.

Yeah!!!