BCBSIL PPO and nutritionist not covered!

[Wdwgirl74 8]

I'm so frustrated. My bp is boiling. I took the big step to decide to get lap band. Met with baratrics coordinator. I have all those tons of test appointments all scheduled as of today. My bcbs IL even covers baratric surgery. No issue there. All my tests are covered. All good. All in network.

Now I was told if the hospital- where the dietician is- bills insurance as outpatient hospital for my required 6 visits- it will NOT be covered by insurance. These visits are required by the baratric program not bcbs. I have been on phone back and forth trying to find out how they bill and not getting much help. No one knows. Finally had bcbs put me on hold and they called the hospital billing dept to see and they told her they do bill it as outpatient hospital!! So I would have to pay around $3-$4k to just have these dietician appts before I even have the surgery?! Dietician said they bill per 15 minutes and 1st appt is about $350 and they go up substantially from then on!!!! How can they not cover this if they cover the surgery?!!! I can't afford that before having the surgery!! My deductible is $1,000 and out of pocket is $4,0000! And it will start over next year which will prob be when I can have it!!!!

So I'll try contacting the coordinator one more time to see if that's really the deal. If so I guess I'm not doing this. I was all ready and worked hard getting appointments. So frustrating. It doesn't make any sense.

[heatherfields 11]

Welcome to insurance Hell. I feel your pain! Wish I had a solution, but I don't. Can only commiserate and lend an ear ????

[Twinmomma422 54]

I have BCBSIL PPO also they didn't cover mine but I only paid like $350 out of pocket for my visits which were only 3. They split it up in the three visits. That price. Seems a little high to me. I had my sleeve sept 9th. It took insurance 2 days to approve I hope once you get passed this step it will be a smooth ride for you.