Way Around BCBS's "Investigational" Excuse

[KabinKitty 11]

At Saturday's seminar my surgeon told me his idea to get BCBS to approve the sleeve (which is his first choice) instead of gastric bypass.

I've had four open abdominal surgeries and the last one was to remove about a foot of my colon. His plan is to suggest that another surgery involving cutting my intestines would not be wise. :lol0:

He has done 80 sleeves and see it as the best WLS for the future. He said he's had only one leak.

I have an appointment for my consult. It is June 17th. He requires all patients to work with his nutritionist for 3 months and lose 5% of their body weight. Surgery won't be scheduled till then....:frown1:...so I'm probably not going to have surgery till September at the earliest. I'm willing to wait, cause I believe he is a very caring and careful surgeon. :drool5:

I spent at least an hour on the phone yesterday with Anthem and the insurance gal at the surgeon's office. I finally got confirmation that the hospital and the surgeon are in my network. That means the surgery will be covered 100%. He even told us we can have tests done at our local hospital! :thumbup1: