Just Starting Questions

[sstemple 1]

I'm just starting my lap band journey. I am going to the seminar Monday, May 6, 2013. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN. Does anyone have this insurance and have any advise? I keep searching for the criteria for insurance to cover this procedure, but I am unable to find anything. If my insurance does not cover this procedure I want to finance this surgery. Has anyone done that, if so what is the criteria for that? Any information about this process is appreciated. I've been reading a lot, and watching YouTube.

[stept04 465]

Welcome. You should just be able to call your insurance company to find out that information. That's what I did anyway. Hope that helps a little. My husbands form Johnson City, TN. What part are you from?

[BayougirlMrsS 3,933]

I'm just starting my lap band journey. I am going to the seminar Monday, May 6, 2013. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN. Does anyone have this insurance and have any advise? I keep searching for the criteria for insurance to cover this procedure, but I am unable to find anything. If my insurance does not cover this procedure I want to finance this surgery. Has anyone done that, if so what is the criteria for that? Any information about this process is appreciated. I've been reading a lot, and watching YouTube.

Few things... deff. call your insurance carrier. You don't want to waste your time if they don't cover your WLS (which ever you choose). If you do go to the seminar they should give you a packet. In the packet should be a question-air Parts of what you should as your insurance provider. I knew mine did because my friend and co-worker had it done the year before.

I didn't have to finance my LB, but i did charge my Tummy Tuck. The year before my husband had eye surgery and got a Care Credit card. It was only $1800 so it didn't take long to pay it off. When i looked into using it for my TT, i saw the interest rate....WOW it was high. So I went to my bank to get a personal loan. My friend (Paula now works there, she and i got laid off on the same day from our other job) said why do you want a personal loan... Chase is offering a Slate card at 0% int. for 15 months... So that's what i did... i put the $8800 on the card and i pay on it each month.

Shop the options.... and good luck

[Daisy1244 36]

I have blue cross blue shield nj..direct access . Ihad a low BMI And I was approved no problems. My doctor said blue cross is one of the easier insurance companies .

[PrettyThick1 1,860]

I'm just starting my lap band journey. I am going to the seminar Monday, May 6, 2013. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN. Does anyone have this insurance and have any advise? I keep searching for the criteria for insurance to cover this procedure, but I am unable to find anything. If my insurance does not cover this procedure I want to finance this surgery. Has anyone done that, if so what is the criteria for that? Any information about this process is appreciated. I've been reading a lot, and watching YouTube.

I have BCBS-TX PPO and they automatically approve you if your BMI is over 40. I hope that helps! Give them a call and they can give you more information on your plan.

[ItsBritneyB 39]

I'm just starting my lap band journey. I am going to the seminar Monday, May 6, 2013. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN. Does anyone have this insurance and have any advise? I keep searching for the criteria for insurance to cover this procedure, but I am unable to find anything. If my insurance does not cover this procedure I want to finance this surgery. Has anyone done that, if so what is the criteria for that? Any information about this process is appreciated. I've been reading a lot, and watching YouTube.

I have heard that BCBS has one of the best acceptance rates. I was self pay. My surgeon had to be paid before the surgery. My hospital bill was different. My hospital bill was $19,000. But since I was self pay, if I paid it with in 30 days then they cut in in half. I ended up paying somewhere around $9,000 to just the hospital. Good Luck with your journey! Follow my lapband blog www.biscuitsandexcuses.blogspot.com

[sstemple 1]

I have BCBS-TX PPO and they automatically approve you if your BMI is over 40. I hope that helps! Give them a call and they can give you more information on your plan.

What does PPO stand for?

[sstemple 1]

Thank you all for the timely replies. I can tell this forum is a great place to talk and get advice! I will call my insurance today after school. I live in Murfreesboro, Tn, where I am going to school at MTSU to become a 4-8 Math teacher. Hearing that BCBS is the easiest insurance company really gives me hope. I am excited about this journey I hope that my insurance will cover it, but I am going to do all I can to get this surgery.

[smpin1176 84]

Pretty Thick 1......I know you said BCBS automatically approves if you BMI is over 40. Does that mean you do not need to wait the 6 month for the dr visits?

Thanks, momof2sn

[Erica313 15]

I have BCBS and still had to go through all of the Dr. appts and consultations and be cleared by nutritionist, exercise and psych people. It took around 6 months for everything.

[sstemple 1]

My insurance specialist mentioned that I would have to lose 10% of my body weight as one of the criteria before insurance would accept me. I have BCBS TN, has anyone else had to do this? I called my insurance but the rep would not give me answer she said go to a meeting a they will tell me. My meeting is Monday May 6! So I will find out more then!

[Chris_tina83 37]

Pretty Thick 1......I know you said BCBS automatically approves if you BMI is over 40. Does that mean you do not need to wait the 6 month for the dr visits?

Thanks' date=' momof2sn[/quote']

I have blue cross CA, my BMI was 46 when I started my journey, my seminar was March 1st, I was banded April 26..

[BayougirlMrsS 3,933]

What does PPO stand for?

PPO = Preferred-provider Organization these are the doctors, hospital etc that your insurance had struck a deal with to give care and charge them a discounted rate. So your insurance will pay more of your bill if you use one of these people. But, just say you live in a rural area and you have no doctor that is on your plan.. And you have to be treated by an Out of Network doctor you still should be given the discounted rate. So you can't be forced to travel 100 miles just to be seen by and In-network doctor.