Anybody Have Basic Bcbs?

[Mel34 11]

Anyone have Basic BCBS Federal?? if so what did you have to pay for the surgery??

[LoserMama 37]

me me. I have to pay $35 for each doc visit, $25 for each dietician PA visit and psych eval. So preop, I've spent $150.

I got my financial responsibility letter from the surgeon, its $150 for the surgery total for him.

Then I think its $150 for the hospital and apparently nothing for the anesthesiologist as long as they are a preferred provider.

http://fepblue.org/benefitplans/2011-sbp/bcbs-2011-RI71-005.pdf

[enixon2010 6]

I have it as well and I concur with the previous post.

[Mel34 11]

THANK YOU!!!!! THANK YOU!!!! THANK YOU TO BOTH OF YOU!!!

I've called my insurance, my coordinator and my doctor's office and they can never give me a straight answer! it's so frustrating and i wanted to cry! I just wanted an estimate of what i was gonna pay cuz i need to budget myself and no one would help.

I should have known that y'all would have the answer! thank you!!!

[LoserMama 37]

glad we could help. I bet there will be some incidental charges for supplies, meds and stuff that will increase the total bill, but I think those are the big chunks.

[Coastal Kari 1]

I have BC and it does not cover WLS at all. You're so lucky!

[Mel34 11]

Coastal,

I'm sorry your insurance doesn't cover it. are you sure it doesn't?? Does it depend on your job?

[LoserMama 37]

Yeah, it depends on plan design and what plan your employer selects. There are a bajillion blue crosses, ok, not that many, but then each of them has lots of different plans that employers can choose for their group benefits. The employers can customize too.

[E-girl 98]

I have BCBS Federal Employee Program. I have the Standard Option (PPO). There is a $350 deductible for the hospital and they cover 85% of the surgeons charges (so I'll pay $1500). BCBS will also require that you go to a Blue Distinction Centers for Bariatric Surgery. You need to ask for a participating anesthesiologist under the Standard program. If you get a non-participating, you pay a lot more!!!!. So far I have paid the following:

Free - Seminar

$30 copay - initial visit

For insurance approval, BSBC Federal requires a 90 day Education/Diet/Exercise Program with Psych Eval and sleep study. 90 days means 90 days. IF YOU MISS ONE APPOINTMENT, YOU WILL HAVE TO START OVER!!!!!

Cost so far...

$180 - nutrionalist visit 1 and exercise consult (I did not use the hospital's program, which is covered by insurance and you pay $25)

$50 - nutrionalist visit 2 (I did not use the hospital's program but its usually $25)

$50 - nutrionalist visit 3 (I did not use the hospital's program but its usually $25)

$30 copay - Psych eval

$30 copay - sleep study

$30 copay - GMA consult

$30 copay - Cardiac pre-authorization

$20 copay - General PCP pre-authorization

* I didn't use the hostipal program because of timing. The classes were all at night and I have little ones to pick up at daycare.

After approval,

$390 - pre and post surgerical nutrionalist classes

$30 copay - Cardiac pre-surgical approval (EKG)

$ ?? - labs

$ ?? - Chest PA & Lateral / GB Sonogram

$ 350 - hopital deductible

15% of surgeons charges

By the way, insurance is allowed to take up to 30 day for approval but BCBS Federal only took 2 days for me.

[Mel34 11]

THank you, E-girl!!!