Looking for a " Dear God let me get approved" Pal

[Crystal88 85]

I wouldn't call Anthem again, but maybe your surgeon's office?? And then call Anthem on Friday.

[rscaggs22 60]

That's a good idea. Or, as my husband suggests, just be patient and wait. Lol ya right!!!

[rscaggs22 60]

So I couldn't wait. Called Anthem this morning-still nothing from surgeons office. Grrrrr....called surgeon and talked to the insurance gal . Dr hadn't signed off on dictation yet and she wasn't sure if the sleeve was the procedure I had opted for (even tho he said it in the dictation). So I verified tvat was the plan and she said it would go over to Anthem today. I'm glad I called!! Who knows how long it would've sat there...

[rdelly01 25]

Going to see my surgeon next Wednesday ... And hopefully I'll have an answer by mid October from insurance company ....it's been such a long road to get here it's hard not to be impatient lol!

I'm really hoping I can get it done by the end of the year also because of deductibles and co insurances!

[Jacqbult 112]

Saw my PSY. Dr. It went well I guess. Took a MONSTER test, I hope I don't come across as a lunatic! He said he would have his report done with in a week since I needed it so quickly. I hope he does not drop the ball as he is the last thing I needed to submit to BCN. I find it VERY hard to wait and am preparing myself for a denial, not because I don't need the surgery, but because I doubt they want to pay the whole thing since I have almost met my Max out of pocket.

[rscaggs22 60]

I think insurance companies have finally realized it's cheaper to pay for one surgery than a lifetime of treating comorbidities. Keep us posted on your PSY eval

[annisa 31]

I was approved having surgery Oct 7th yeah!!!!

[rscaggs22 60]

How long did you wait to get your approval and who is your insurance with? Oh and CONGRATS!!!!

[Crystal88 85]

Congratulations Annisa!

[Bino 44]

I'm not sure if I'll get approved or not since I'm having my lap band removed first and am then doing the sleeve. I've scheduled my blood work and sonogram for next week. I still need to schedule the psych and the waiting game will begin.

[jenmc2404 16]

Hi Everyone, Im joining in here alittle late but also going through the process of approval. I also am so excited for approval and the more i read of all the success stories and see all the before and after photos i get more excited to start this new phase of my life. I have had my first visit with the dr and i have to say all my appts are scheduling pretty quickly. Had my psych eval yesterday and have to get a hemotology clearance on monday and two appts with nut and meet my surgeon friday. and then i guess they submit to insurance after all clearances come back. I have anthem blue cross/ blue shield i did not have to do the 3 or 6 month diet for my insurance, this seems pretty uncommon from what i am reading. my bmi is 52 and have recently been diagnosed with diabetes. My dr said since i have just started the diabetes it will most likely disappear with the weight loss. So needless to say i cannot wait to get this surgery. Best wishes to everyone waiting for approval and congrats to who have received approval already:)

[melshot 7]

Well I received my approval letter today from Kaiser that I've "met the guidelines for the Weight Loss Surgery program here at Kaiser Permanente."

I'm very happy but I guess I'm a little confused. I thought once I received the approval from Kaiser that I would be "good to go" because they ARE my insurance carrier??!! But it looks like I have to meet with a patient coordinator to make sure that Medicare will approve it (I'm on Medicare because I'm on disability for other reasons).

I'm so confused!!

[MisforMimi 760]

I'm curious and I guess this is because I work in healthcare, but why didn't folks call the insurance first. I called Regence first even though my plan is PPO and doesn't require referrals. I've been working with a nurse case manager through Regence and my PCP to ensure that I meet the qualifications outlined on their website. Are people worried about denial because you don't meet qualifications? From what I'm reading on this thread, none of us have anything to worry about! We all meet the national standard greater than 40 bmi or greater than 35 with comorbitities hypertension, sleep apnea, hyper cholesterol or I forget the 4th one....

[mmurray 24]

I called my insurance first to make sure I was in full understanding. My doctors office was so impressed because apparently no one does that.

My personal worry is that during my 6 months I gained like 20 pounds consistently. I started off lighter than am now so I don't know if they're going to make me redo the 6 months for my currently weight.

Edited October 4, 2014 by mmurray

[Onephatmom 19]

I called my insurance a few times with questions. Hopefully that helps when they put through my approval next week.