How long did you wait for approval from BCBS Federal?

[mamaofmatthew 51]

Doctors office submitted my paperwork to insurance today. I know this wait is going to kill me! So I was just wondering, how long did you wait for approval from BCBS Federal (basic)? Did you call customer service for status updates? If so, how often?? Thank you!!

[Kking1205 21]

5 days

[Rovobay 920]

I have bcbs federal too. I can't wait to hear your results. hoping for the best for you.

[southern_sweetie 21]

I also have BCBS Fed. I am wating to hear something back too. This part sucks.

[MichelleInCA 22]

I think mine was about 2 weeks. I wrote my own 'cover letter' in which I addressed every item in the surgery requirements, and the doc included it. My doctor's office was just clueless and not getting to it, so that's where I lost a lot of time. The first approval was for no overnight hospital stay, but the doc's office called and straightened it out right away.

[snowkitten 371]

Doctors office submitted my paperwork to insurance today. I know this wait is going to kill me! So I was just wondering, how long did you wait for approval from BCBS Federal (basic)? Did you call customer service for status updates? If so, how often?? Thank you!!

I'm waiting for approval from them as well so I'm eager to know others experience. I submitted on July 30th and the surgeons office said to call on the 23rd to find out. I was just talking to my hubby that I should call the insurance.company myself tomorrow. If nothing else it will light a fire under them lol

[snowkitten 371]

I lost the war with my patience and called the insurance company yestersay to find out. They said as of 7/8 I was approved. So it took 5 business days total. And that's WITH a holiday so u know their brains were at half speed.

[NoDramaLlama 38]

^{I have BC/BC Federal Basic, too. They received my paperwork on July 1, and I have called several times to check progress. It has been "pending" with the nurse who certifies medical necessity for several days. I call about every other day...mainly because I'm impatient and don't want to bug my surgeon's office. I hear these stories about quick approvals, but they tell me every time that the nurse has 15 days from the date they receive it to provide a decision, so I should know something no later than the 15th. I hate waiting. Tentatively scheduled for August 4th.}

[mamaofmatthew 51]

My paperwork was submitted on July 9th. I called today because I am so impatient and could not wait anymore, ha ha. I was told it could take up to 8 weeks for approval!!! The lady did say that if the doctor's office submitted a tentative date for the surgery they could possibly expedite the approval. As soon as I hung up with BCBS I called my doctor's office and requested they schedule me for the first available appointment and fax that to the insurance company.

Has anyone heard of this?? I wonder why it could take up to 8 weeks and so many people find out within 1 week or so??? I was confidant I would be approved, now im nervous!!

[snowkitten 371]

I have BC/BC Federal Basic, too. They received my paperwork on July 1, and I have called several times to check progress. It has been "pending" with the nurse who certifies medical necessity for several days. I call about every other day...mainly because I'm impatient and don't want to bug my surgeon's office. I hear those stories about quick approvals, but they tell me every time that the nurse has 15 days from the date they receive it to provide a decision, so I should know something no later than the 15th. I hate waiting. Tentatively scheduled for August 4th.

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but 15 days means business days. So actually the nurse has until July 23rd. Good luck!

[snowkitten 371]

My paperwork was submitted on July 9th. I called today because I am so impatient and could not wait anymore, ha ha. I was told it could take up to 8 weeks for approval!!! The lady did say that if the doctor's office submitted a tentative date for the surgery they could possibly expedite the approval. As soon as I hung up with BCBS I called my doctor's office and requested they schedule me for the first available appointment and fax that to the insurance company.

Has anyone heard of this?? I wonder why it could take up to 8 weeks and so many people find out within 1 week or so??? I was confidant I would be approved, now im nervous!!

When I turned in my paperwork to be submitted the office assistant said bcbs requires a surgery date. I'm not sure if that's true for everyone or just if it's just my surgeon's practice to do so. Unfortunately the tentative date I was assured was available turned out NOT to be. I had to schedule for a totally different day 3 weeks later. So just keep in mind the tentative date the surgeons office gives bcbs may not be a real date

[southern_sweetie 21]

I finished all the requirements and paperwork and gave them to the insurance specialist Monday. She told me that it would probably be the end of next week till I hear something. I called BCBS today to see if they had recieved my paperwork..I found out that they had and I have already been approved. I was so excited I wanted to cry. So I guess it was 5 days for me.

Edited July 12, 2014 by southern_sweetie

[NoDramaLlama 38]

I have BC/BC Federal Basic, too. They received my paperwork on July 1, and I have called several times to check progress. It has been "pending" with the nurse who certifies medical necessity for several days. I call about every other day...mainly because I'm impatient and don't want to bug my surgeon's office. I hear those stories about quick approvals, but they tell me every time that the nurse has 15 days from the date they receive it to provide a decision, so I should know something no later than the 15th. I hate waiting. Tentatively scheduled for August 4th.

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but 15 days means business days. So actually the nurse has until July 23rd. Good luck!

Actually, I thought that's what they meant too, but the rep actually told me it would be done by the 15th, so I guess it is calendar days. I see all these fast approvals, and hope mine isn't taking longer because there's a problem...it's driving me crazy waiting.

[mamaofmatthew 51]

I have BC/BC Federal Basic, too. They received my paperwork on July 1, and I have called several times to check progress. It has been "pending" with the nurse who certifies medical necessity for several days. I call about every other day...mainly because I'm impatient and don't want to bug my surgeon's office. I hear those stories about quick approvals, but they tell me every time that the nurse has 15 days from the date they receive it to provide a decision, so I should know something no later than the 15th. I hate waiting. Tentatively scheduled for August 4th.

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but 15 days means business days. So actually the nurse has until July 23rd. Good luck!

Actually, I thought that's what they meant too, but the rep actually told me it would be done by the 15th, so I guess it is calendar days. I see all these fast approvals, and hope mine isn't taking longer because there's a problem...it's driving me crazy waiting.

Did you call the customer service number or the pre-authorization number on the back of your card? I was calling the customer service number and they told me to call the pre-authorization department listed on the back of my card. The rep I got at that number told me it could take 6-8 weeks!! Although everytime I talked to someone I got a different answer.

[NoDramaLlama 38]

I always call the precert number (every couple of days since the first). The story has always been the same, once all paperwork is received via fax, it goes to the nurse, who has 15 days for a decision. My paperwork was received via fax July 1, they always tell me the nurse has until the 15 th. Different reps, always the same story. I have never heard anything longer mentioned. I have BC/BS Federal Basic.