Insurance people no help at all! grrr

[SuNMooNStaRS816 423]

Call insurance company and hopefully you will get someone more helpful when you call this time. Every insurance policy is different. Some may take weight watchers some may not. You can go to your PCP for your 6 months of dr supervised visits. But you need a clear understanding o what your requirements are. And you can start the 6 month diet before you even go to the seminar for a surgeon. The sooner you start those the better off you are. Most bariatric surgeons office has a nutritionist they use so that will be done after seeing the surgeon. The psych eval you want to coordinate through your insurance because you don't wanna pay out of pocket and more than you have to. And it will be done after you meet with the surgeon also. The surgeons office will give you a time frame of when all that needs to be done.

1st call your insurance back and get a better understanding of what your plan requires exactly. Whether weight watchers is ok or not. Or do you have to see a dr or nutritionist for those 6 months of supervised visits.

2nd get started a soon as possible in the 6 month supervised diet.

3rd go to seminar's an pick a surgeon and get started in their program.

[NotLookinBack 164]

If your surgeon has treated people with the same insurance they know all of the requirements that you have to have and will tell you. When I went for my first consult there were things they marked off the "to do" list that is standard for everybody because my insurance company doesn't require it. So I would wait and the surgeon will let you know.. Best of luck!

[SuNMooNStaRS816 423]

The surgeons office will have to verify what your policy benefits are and what your requirements are. That can sometimes take a week after your seminar. In the mean time if you do your leg work and know your benefits and requirements you can be ahead of the game.

[Nursebarbie 392]

My advice is to document in writing every diet every gimmick every plan every exercise fad etc you have ever tried. It all counts. You will need a physical exam with labs initially to check and verify your health status. Many insurance companies have case managers and even ones who are bariatric case managers. Call your insurance company and ask if you can be connected with one. Your primary doctor can also refer you. How do I know? I'm a case manager RN for Kaiser. Try it and let me know....

[jaxmommy2012 21]

My advice is to document in writing every diet every gimmick every plan every exercise fad etc you have ever tried. It all counts. You will need a physical exam with labs initially to check and verify your health status. Many insurance companies have case managers and even ones who are bariatric case managers. Call your insurance company and ask if you can be connected with one. Your primary doctor can also refer you. How do I know? I'm a case manager RN for Kaiser. Try it and let me know....

Well ive called a few times. I spoke to someone diff today and was told the requirments are not as strict anymore so to have my dr send what they have. Ill make the list of attempts. N as far as a coordinator i dont believe this place has one. Its like a private office affiliated with blue cross. I have it thru a labor union so when i call im calling the individual office. But thankfully the woman i spoke with today was much more helpful. Thank u everyone for all the advice!! its crazy being lost in the sea of paperwork. Lol

[SuNMooNStaRS816 423]

Just make notes of everything they tell you and who you spoke to. And get busy setting everything up. It will all go by faster than you think. Good luck!!!

[Nursebarbie 392]

Blue cross has them. That is who I had when I got my band. Call blue cross directly and ask.

[SuNMooNStaRS816 423]

Blue cross has them. That is who I had when I got my band. Call blue cross directly and ask.

The insurance policies through the labor unions are different. My husband is an engineer and we have insurance through the railroad labor union. It's very different dealing with them, whether you have BCBS or UHC. They are separate entities. But if the plan has a bariatric case coordinator that is who they should refer you to. Sometimes it is a matter of asking the right question. Ask them directly if they have a bariatric case coordinator. And as I suggested earlier write down everything that is said and who you spoke to and when. I know it's very confusing and they aren't always helpful.

[Nursebarbie 392]

Hmmm. We are union too but it still doesn't sound right. Ask for everything in writing. Many times you are dealing with a clerk with a high school education. Escalate it if you need too to the union rep or contract specialist.

[jaxmommy2012 21]

they apparently dont have a coordiantor that handles bariatric but the woman i spoke with said if i fax my info to her shell send it to precert for review. I go to the seminar fri so im guessing ill find out surgeons requirments and go from there

[SuNMooNStaRS816 423]

they apparently dont have a coordiantor that handles bariatric but the woman i spoke with said if i fax my info to her shell send it to precert for review. I go to the seminar fri so im guessing ill find out surgeons requirments and go from there

Sounds like your on track then. Good luck!!!! Keep us updated....