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My BCBSIL story



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After thinking about it long and hard, I finally started my journey for revision from band to sleeve in June. I finished all my requirements which was a nutritionist and nut evaluation in July and after getting clearance from various Dr's about my results of blood, eco, fitness and EGD my paperwork was finally submitted to BCBSIL by my Dr office in August. I did have to constantly check the status with my Dr office and BCBS to make sure all was submitted and received, good thing to do because once BCBS received my paperwork, I was approved but it took days for the letter to get generated by the predetermination dept. I was told that it only takes 1 day for the letter to be sent out, so whatever the delay was, it led to really good customer service at BCBS. My rep was upset that I didn't get my letter the day it was supposed to be generated and she made sure to check daily for me and kept reminding the predetermination dept to send my letter ASAP. Today was finally that day, my Dr office received their copy and called me 1 hour after....my surgery is set for September 18.

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Congrats! I hope everything goes extremely well for you!

Summer

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Thank you Summer Rain

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BCBS Federal Employee Plan is the best insurance I have ever had.....ever. One thing that I like about it is the availability of a case manager to help handle processess and procedures. Any time I have some lingering health problem, like my knee replacements, stroke and now weight loss surgery, I accept the help of a case manager. She also checks up on me from time to time to see how I am doing. The other thing I like about it besides excellent coverage is that for my sleeve, BCBS approved a five day stay in the hospital if needed.

Any delays I had were from the bariaric clinic's side. When my packet was submitted, BCBS approved it in two days. I found out because when I called the doctor's office to see if it was submitted, I was told yes, but that they would not know anything for a couple of weeks because the insurance coodinator was on vacation. So.....I called my case manager at BCBS and she said it was already approved. The case manager mailed me a letter of confirmation whicj I then faxed to the surgeon's office. As soon as they received it, I was given a surgey date the same day. I am not as patient as I used to be and have become way more pro-active about my healthcare.

Good for you that you are staying on top of things. I wish you good luck and good health.

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Thanks Miss Mac

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....my surgery is set for September 18.

Good luck today! I hope everything goes well and you have a speedy recovery!

Summer

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Can I ask you guys what the name of your plan was for BCBS? And did you have to do a 3 or 6 month supervised diet before the surgery? Thanks

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Can I ask you guys what the name of your plan was for BCBS? And did you have to do a 3 or 6 month supervised diet before the surgery? Thanks

I have the PPO HSA plan, no supervised diet required

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I'm not sure what my BCBS IL plan was, but I had a 6 month obligation to a diet. I do know I had a PPO. I've heard that the 6 month thing has been changed since I completed my program. Call them up and ask!

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A Soot, The PPO HSA plan you have; is it a gold, silver, platinum plan? Can I ask what the specific name of it is? Thanks!

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    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

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      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
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