Minnesota Blue Cross Blue Sheild Approval Journey Questions

[indianpiranha 0]

Hi!

I have my initial meeting with the nutritionist, dietitian, and psychiatrist June 25/26. I have BCBS insurance, which states I must undergo a 6 month doctor monitored dieting first. Is there any way to speed this process up? I feel its redundant, being that I've been yo-yo dieting for years...

How many appointments am I looking at AFTER my initial meeting? I know the answers to these may vary, but I'd love to hear from as many people as possible! I tried calling the hospital about it, and they told me to just wait until my meeting...but I feel that is so far away to know NOTHING.

Any and all information you have regarding this process(time frame, meetings and what they are, how long before approval, etc...)will be MUCH appreciated!!!!!

Tara

[2muchfun 8,927]

I was supposed to have the same and we tried to use my past doctor visits(and we always discussed my weight) as collateral for the 6 month visits but no go. Doesn't mean you can't try to use any of your past visits to shorten the time span but it didn't work for me?

Then, with about 2 months left on my doctor supervised diet plan, BCBS said never mind, we don't do that any longer. So, I got clearance for my surgery 2 months early.

Your PCP may be able to write an appeal letter with some strong evidence that the two of you have worked on this problem for months or years and this may persuade someone at BCBS? Worth a try?

[betty_s 476]

I have Anthem BCBS VA insurance. I had to undergo 12 months of health "coaching" to qualify for insurance to cover it. even though my weight steadily increased about 20 lbs a year with my PCP. So, my first doctors visit was Jan 2013 and I finally had surgery May 2014.

i hated it while is was going on. but in the end, i'm actually glad i had to wait. it made me appreciate the surgery a lot more, and i had time to change some of my habits.