Here we go! Would love some wisdom!

[MaryRS 18]

Ten years of weight creeping up and here I am-- with a BMI of 36 (go me!!) with 2 co-morbidities. Tired of losing and gaining the same 10 lbs five times a year, I decided to take a step.,,or rather a leap.

And here we are

8/29-- WLS seminar

9/11 -- first visit.

Have Anthem BC of CA so hope I get approved

And now I'm working though my list

Primary care letter of clearance -- check

Blood work-- check

Three years of 35 + BMI -- check again (another go me moment!)

Doing sleep apnea study tonight

To do:

Cardiac clearance (required if you're over 50.. And I'm 50 and 2 weeks.)

NUT appt

Psych eval ( wonder how that will go)

So I'm hopeful that I get this all one quickly and get approved ( holding my breath )

Anyone else out there with Anthem BC of CA? Any tips.

Oh and I'm an Alabama gal

[SassyTink 78]

I have BCBS of Illinois and they required everything that you have listed above, plus a six month waiting period. You must see the nurse practitioner and dietician three times. Beginning, after 3 months and exactly six months. After the last visit at 6 months, with the surgeon, nurse and dietician the request is sent to BCBS for a final okay for the surgery. My office said that can take from a week to three weeks. BCBS has been great so far and paid for everything after my deductible was met. (Met early on by the sleep study). The time flies by. October 23 is my 6 months thank goodness.

[Fit2btied 122]

I have BCBS of Illinois and they required everything that you have listed above' date=' plus a six month waiting period. You must see the nurse practitioner and dietician three times. Beginning, after 3 months and exactly six months. After the last visit at 6 months, with the surgeon, nurse and dietician the request is sent to BCBS for a final okay for the surgery. My office said that can take from a week to three weeks. BCBS has been great so far and paid for everything after my deductible was met. (Met early on by the sleep study). The time flies by. October 23 is my 6 months thank goodness.[/quote']

Where do you live? I have the same insurance and none of those requirements. All they needed to submit was my Psyc eval, which I had done yesterday, and they submitted today.

[MaryRS 18]

I have BCBS of Illinois and they required everything that you have listed above' date=' plus a six month waiting period. You must see the nurse practitioner and dietician three times. Beginning, after 3 months and exactly six months. After the last visit at 6 months, with the surgeon, nurse and dietician the request is sent to BCBS for a final okay for the surgery. My office said that can take from a week to three weeks. BCBS has been great so far and paid for everything after my deductible was met. (Met early on by the sleep study). The time flies by. October 23 is my 6 months thank goodness.[/quote']

Glad to hear the time flies. Now that I've made the decision, I'm ready to go. Sounds like you have more fiery hoops than me, but it's all good in the end, right

[ribearty 544]

Where do you live? I have the same insurance and none of those requirements. All they needed to submit was my Psyc eval, which I had done yesterday, and they submitted today.

The insurance criteria is determined by the contract your employer negotiates with the insurance company. I have UHC and my employer goes through Optima for bariatric services but another person I know has UHC and they do not use Optima and she had different criteria to meet than I do.

Good luck with your journey.

[Sassygirl06 962]

I have the same insurance. They changed the requirements since I had my surgery, and now they require a six month supervised diet. The good news is that the surgery didn't cost me a thing. The only thing I had to pay was the $15 dollar copay for doctors visits, which added up to $45 for the whole thing for me. Good luck girl!

[endless80 697]

I have Anthem BC/BS as well. But I'm in Georgia so I don't know if there's a difference. They approved me no problem or questions asked as long as I did everything they required.

[unbesleevable1 420]

I have Anthem BC Calif Care and they were so fast with their approval. Like less than a week. No 6 month diet crap. Really, I chose the best insurance by accident. I had the choice between a few through work, and I'm so glad I chose Anthem. Good Luck!

[Fit2btied 122]

I have Anthem BC Calif Care and they were so fast with their approval. Like less than a week. No 6 month diet crap. Really' date=' I chose the best insurance by accident. I had the choice between a few through work, and I'm so glad I chose Anthem. Good Luck![/quote']

Lol. We have had the same insurance for years and its finally paying off. I think we spend like $600 a month for ours. At least I'm getting some good use out of it. Now I hope I can lose the weight and get my TT covered before anything changes.

[ElginChris 87]

Good luck on your journey Mary!! We are on a similar time line in terms of dates!!!

Skinny, I also have BCBS if Il and didnt have to do the 6 month diet part just a psych eval and saw a Nut once and was submitted on Tuesday 9/17. I still have a ton to do pre surgery for the surgeon but I will be at least approved by insurance.

[MaryRS 18]

I have Anthem BC Calif Care and they were so fast with their approval. Like less than a week. No 6 month diet crap. Really' date=' I chose the best insurance by accident. I had the choice between a few through work, and I'm so glad I chose Anthem. Good Luck![/quote']

Good to hear! I was thrilled to warn I didn't have to do the 6 month diet thing. I think we can all agree that dieting is not working for me.

[tabbatha35 44]

I have Anthem BC Calif Care and they were so fast with their approval. Like less than a week. No 6 month diet crap. Really, I chose the best insurance by accident. I had the choice between a few through work, and I'm so glad I chose Anthem. Good Luck!

I also have Anthem HRA too and they required exactly what you listed. I'm waiting for my surgeon's office to receive the info from my psych eval that was approved and my blood test results and then they can submit for approval to the insurance company.

[MaryRS 18]

I also have Anthem HRA too and they required exactly what you listed. I'm waiting for my surgeon's office to receive the info from my psych eval that was approved and my blood test results and then they can submit for approval to the insurance company.

Hope you hear good news soon!!

I still have a few more steps but hope to get those super fast!