BCBS of IL

[takingbackcontrol 137]

Just found out I was approved, yay! Just left a message with the nurse/scheduler, ready to GET ON WITH IT!!!!!

[tamarlarae 11]

Found out I was approved on Tuesday!! Still waiting to hear from someone about scheduling!!

[makemyownluck 785]

Found out I was approved on Tuesday!! Still waiting to hear from someone about scheduling!!

Sorry I didnt see your questions til now, I'll still answer in case anyone else wants to know... The way my surgeon did it was to schedule for surgery about a month out, submit the paperwork and wait for approval. I called bcbs to check status and they approved 2 days later, so my surgery went ahead as scheduled.... congrats on your approval!! I hope you can get scheduled soon!!

[NellieBean 70]

I have BCBSIL PPO. My forms were submitted yesterday and I was approved this afternoon.

I still have the psych exam but my doctor didn't want me to get stuck with the deductible unless they were going to approve. So just over 24 hours for approval.

[tamarlarae 11]

I'm surprised they approved without the psych eval...

[NellieBean 70]

It is called a conditional approval. From reading the boards, it seems a common thing. I thought it was very considerate of the surgeon to not send me for the eval until it was approved. Saves you the deductible in case there is an issue.

I hope to knock out the eval next week and then have the surgery in the beginning of July.

[dimples4u 13]

Thank u and I hope u get tht date soon as well. Keepe posted...

[OldskoolHeart 6]

Is everyone using the Blue Distinction Centers of BCBS. I was told they were recommended but not required, am I correct?

[brandnew 72]

Is everyone using the Blue Distinction Centers of BCBS. I was told they were recommended but not required' date=' am I correct?[/quote']

I am using a Blue Distinction Center, I don't think it's required, I just felt it would give me an edge approval-wise.

[NellieBean 70]

I am not. My doctor is Dr. Hoeltgen (Barrington Surgeons) through Good Shepard Hospital. I think the process would move a bit quicker at the all in one centers but a couple extra weeks isn't that bad, overall.

[chinamama 104]

It used to be ( at least with federal) that you could use any hospital you wanted to but they paid at a higher reimbursement rate at at hospital of excellence. So check your co-pays

[OldskoolHeart 6]

Does anyone know if BCBS-IL PPO requires the primary physician to write a letter of medical necessity? I didn't see it on the requirements but someone replied to one of my questions and they said they had to have one?

[NellieBean 70]

It depends on your individual plan. When I was on the ***, it would have required the letter. With my current plan, the PPO, I did not need a letter. It might vary based on your company though.

[OldskoolHeart 6]

Thanks for the reply

I just re-read the PPO plan for BCBS-IL and it is not listed as a requirement. However I did not see a Nutritionist listed as a requirement either, or does the surgeon send you to one for the meal/eating portion that BCBS list as a requirement of the surgeon?

[NellieBean 70]

I do not need to see a nutritionist. I just have my psych eval today (which I still think is stupid) and thats about it.