Starting Process- BCBS Alabama

[Divamsv 2]

I am very interested in the surgery. I have BCBS of Alabama and was told I was told that I have to do a 180 day program for insurance to approve. Is this true? Any way around waiting 6 months. Please help!

[MNovalis 93]

I am in Alabama and have BCBS as well. Of course it always depends on the individual plan itself, but I had to go through the 6 months of Dr supervised weight loss to gain approval. BUT, I don't regret it. You really do need that time to get your head wrapped around what you are about to go through, what you are about to put your body through. And it will go by pretty quickly in the grand scheme of things. My surgery date was here before I knew it!

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[Divamsv 2]

That's a long time but I guess I have no other choice. Some have waited 90 days so that's why I was confused. Thank you for your reply.

[Sparkles21 35]

It all depends on your insurance. I would call or get online (in your bcbs account) and find the EXACT requirements. Likely, you'll have to have a BMI of 35, with 2 co morbidities or a bmi of 40 or more. 6 months of a supervised diet, a psychiatric evaluation, and be medically cleared for surgery.

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[Divamsv 2]

So where are the 90 day clearances coming from? I understand if that's the process but I want to make sure I'm doing it right.

[Sparkles21 35]

Per your insurance. I have cigna and thankfully they only require the 90 days. Actually its 4 visits in at least 89 days. Most of the people I've talked to had to wait 6 months. Crappy but in the length of your life it's not too bad. And trust me, I'm very impatient!

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[Divamsv 2]

I agree! Thank you!!

[MNovalis 93]

The insurance coordinator at my surgeon's office took care of contacting my insurance company for me and she is the one who got together all of my info for me. She was AMAZING! And my primary care physician said, "Lets take this 6 months to make sure that we've got all our ducks in a row and not give your insurance company any reason to stall or turn your down." Since I was 50, we took care of my 'lady doctor' visits (as he called them) as well as my colonoscopy and he even went ahead and ordered a sleep study. As soon as the insurance coordinator at the surgeon's office faxed the last report from my 6th month visit to the insurance company, I got my approval the next morning and my surgery date was scheduled for 2 weeks later!

[Divamsv 2]

Thank you!