Federal BCBS paid for my sleeve 100%, minus the copayments for the hospital and my surgon!

[Reviewer 20]

I was sleeved in January, BCBS Federal covered 100% less $150 hospital and $150 surgeon co payments.

[^Lolly^ 18]

Wow! That was quick. My coordinator told me last week that BCBS should have my file early next week (meaning this week), so I am hoping I hear something by the end of the week. I have two questions. How did you find out you were approved? If you don't mind me asking - was your BMI under 40?

[Moni_0330 27]

I have federal BCBS and my insurance did the same thing! They covered 100% minus the $250 hospital copayment. I love them!!!!!!

[Emarie07 47]

Wow! That was quick. My coordinator told me last week that BCBS should have my file early next week (meaning this week), so I am hoping I hear something by the end of the week. I have two questions. How did you find out you were approved? If you don't mind me asking - was your BMI under 40?

That's great I bet you will be hearing by the end of the week! I actually called BCBS and found out by calling the pre certification phone number and then not even three hours later the nurse at the surgeons office called and told me I was approved. Yes my BMI is 48, and I don't mind you asking.

[Nicie 9]

Did you have to take the MMPI test to fulfill the

psychological assessment requirement for federal bc/bs?

That is a 500 plus questionnaire that my dr's office states I must take before I see the Psychologist to qualify for

the surgery.

[Emarie07 47]

Did you have to take the MMPI test to fulfill the psychological assessment requirement for federal bc/bs? That is a 500 plus questionnaire that my dr's office states I must take before I see the Psychologist to qualify for the surgery.

I had to take an assessment but it was only about 100 questions I think. Not 500 for sure. I took it at the psych eval.

[Nicie 9]

Thank you for your reply.

[^Lolly^ 18]

Yes, I did take MMPI test. I passed. I didn't really realize you could pass or not pass, but the NP told me that she recvd 4 reports for the psychologist the day she received my results and I was the only one who "passed".

[Rchobby513 7]

BCBS approved me within a week. They also sent me a letter informing me that they had approved the hospital stay.

[TK Sleever 6]

I didn't have to take the MMPI, just a shorter one when I went for my psych eval. Also, I prepaid my hospital bill today. I'll be in two nights, and my portion is $350.

[GardenLady 9]

My insurance (BCBS federal) seems to have taken only a day and a half - I checked on Tuesday afternoon to see if they had gotten the submission and they said it wasn't there yet. But come Thursday morning (yesterday), I got a call from the bariatric center telling me that it was approved.

My center required a whole slew of psychiatric questions - three "tests" on the computer and three pen/paper. The funnies part of the final meeting with the psychiatrist was when he told me I was an "unconventional thinker". I had been told this by previous bosses but never by a psychiatrist - I think this might make it official :-)

My surgery is scheduled for May 12. I'm not too concerned, per se, but I'm traveling for work the next two weeks and there isn't a whole lot of food options available. I'm taking my Protein shakes with me but I'm really going to have to watch what I eat for the other two meals!

[karla23 5]

I have Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield and mine took a little over two weeks to get the procedure approved. I had to provide office notes for the past 2 years saying I that I was obese for that long also paperwork that I was attempting to lose weight for the past 2 years. I tried sensa, doctors shakes and all the diets you can imagine but I didn't have the paperwork for those. Luckily I was seeing a weight control doctor for 1 year and that with gym membership was enough. so far what I read on my insurance booklet is that federal BCBS PPO pays 85% of all the cost plus $250 co pay for the hospital. I will be 2 weeks out and I haven't received any bill but this is what I know for sure the insurance covers.

[^Lolly^ 18]

My paperwork was submitted on Tuesday. I called BCBS today and they said it was pending. They need a call from the surgeons office. Yikes! I called surgeons office and left message. Now I am really worried

[GardenLady 9]

My paperwork was submitted on Tuesday. I called BCBS today and they said it was pending. They need a call from the surgeons office. Yikes! I called surgeons office and left message. Now I am really worried

Lolly, did you get your approval yet? It seems to move pretty fast...

[^Lolly^ 18]

GardenLady,

I just received my approval this afternoon! My BMI was under 40, so I'm guessing that's why it might have taken since last week. I have an appointment next Thursday with cardiologist to get cardiology clearance then I meet with surgeon to sign consents. I guess that's when you schedule a date. I am pretty excited and scared. I ran into a friend tonight who had gastric by-pass and she looked pretty bad. I think she's lost too much weight. She was all shrivelled (spelling?) up. Where are you in the process?