Band to Sleeve - Insurance Question BCBS NC

[Wisdom2KnowTheDifference 32]

Hey ya'll!

I am strongly considering a band to sleeve revision. I currently have United Healthcare with a bariatric surgery exclusion. So I will need to switch over to my husband's insurance (BCBSNC) during open enrollment in October. I am pretty sure that BCBS will require a 6 month physician supervised diet prior to approval, and I am wondering if I could/should start that through my surgeon's office prior to even getting on BCBS (i.e. would it count?) I know the costs of products wouldn't be covered if I did it before getting BCBS, but I am trying to get this surgery scheduled as soon as possible.

A little bit more on me, if anyone wants to comment on this info as well:

Banded September 2012 (self pay due to no cormorbidities and under BMI 40). Lost 20 lb, mostly because of post op recovery diet. Regained and more. Spent about 1 year too tight ( I thought it was normal to vomit at every meal) so I ate "around" the band and maintained at about 225 lb. About 3 months ago, had band unfilled completely, gained 15 lb. Had a 2cc fill about 3 weeks ago and continue to gain with no restriction. Currently at 240lb (5'7"), BMI is 37.6. Next fill is in about 2 weeks and I am scheduled to talk to my surgeon about revision. I have a sleep study scheduled around the same time and I am 99% sure I now have sleep apnea. Nutritionist visit scheduled next week. I am also having mobility issues including tendinitis in my right foot/ankle whenever I try to start a walking program.

Thanks for your comments!

Meredith

[suzysuz86 6]

Hi, I have bcbs NC and I had to do the 6 month weight documentation prior to my surgery,but I found out that July 1st they changed the policy and there is no more 6 month wait. I'm not sure if it is for all plans but I am pretty sure it is

[Jersrose43 837]

To bar them from excluding something due to fine print, be safe not sorry. Just wait until you are on the plan. Will it be much longer?