Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

My surgery application was denied by Fed BCBS.



Recommended Posts

My paperwork was submitted December 21, 2016 for approval. Jan 3rd 2017 I called and found out I was denied, because I don't meet the New guidelines for 2017. I am really upset about it ????.

I don't think it's fair. Now I need 2yrs bmi >35 w co mobilities 40> w out co mobilities. 90 days NUT , psych eval. I have NUT class and psych eval but I need 1full year with BMI >40.

Has this ever happened to anyone.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sent from my SM-J700T using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't worry about it everything going to be ok you will get approved. My situation is different I only have 1 yr bmi of 40 and I need two yrs.

Best of luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was approved by BCBS Fed in 2016. I was required to show 2 years of BMI history. I didn't think the policy changed at all from 2016 to 2017. If was submitted DEc. 21 - they should have processed it in 2016.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well the doctor is going to do a peer to peer review , hopefully they will approve it. If they still denies it I have to make a decision pay for the sergury myself or wait 10 months to qualify. Any advice?

Sent from my SM-J700T using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Wow! I'm very ignorant about WLS approvals (though very familiar with dealing with health insurance for long-term disabilities) so forgive me for speculating but it seems strange they would hold an application submitted in 2016 to standards that were not in effect until 2017. Maybe they held onto it so they could deny it for that reason... or maybe I am just skeptical of insco's! I hope you get a good result from the P2P with your doctor.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't worry about it everything going to be ok you will get approved. My situation is different I only have 1 yr bmi of 40 and I need two yrs.

Best of luck.

Exactly why I just decided to book for Mexico. ugh!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery two years ago now through Medica. I had to show a 2 year history with BMI over 35 w/comorbitities or 40 without.

Also I had to have 6 months of supervised diet.

These insurance companies are all so different. My insurance now covers absolutely nothing. In fact, my annual blood work wasn't covered because my PCP used the word bariatric in her coding. It cost me 2300.00

I had to go back to my bariatric center and ask for a letter showing medical necessity for annual metabolic nutritional panels. This happened in June and I had to pay it or they would send it to collections. So I paid it, and ever since I have been working on the appeal so I can get my money back.

you have to stay on top of them both before and even years after your surgery.

Maybe someday they will change all this so that they cover it on all insurance. (Yes I know I am dreaming)

This is a metabolic disease after all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

WOW! I guess I got lucky and was approved in September 2016 by BCBS FEP. Sorry that they denied you.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You know, I just have to say this....I don't understand insurance companies. Doctors and insurance companies are so quick to say that our health problems are due to being overweight, but the insurance companies refuse to pay for anything weight related. Can't they see that if we weren't so overweight, that we wouldn't have as many health problems, thus they would save money?? I just can't understand how they haven't come to this conclusion yet. UGH!! I had to pay for my surgery out of pocket. They won't cover anything weight related at all. So ridiculous.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      Gearing up for my consult 01/14! Starting to get a little nervous.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Goyafigs

      I had VSG 11.20.24 with Miguel Burch, MD Cedars-Sinai and I am 1 month post-op. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • DaisyChainOz

      🥳 Jan 1 2025 - Day 1 of Pre Op, surgery on the 16th! 😬😅
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Just been waiting until time for my consult with my bariatric surgeon. It's scheduled for Jan 9th. Turns out I won't actually be seeing him. Apparently it'll be with his P.A.             Not sure what to expect. I thought this is where the surgeon would discuss the best surgery option for me. For years I had my heart set on the sleeve, but I've read so many people have issues with reflux - even if they've never had it before - that they've had to be revised to the bypass. I already deal with GERD & take 40 mg of Omeprazole daily, so I started studying about bypass and honestly, it seems like it might be the better choice for me. How can we discuss surgery options if the surgeon is not there?
      What happened at your first consult? Trying to get an idea of what to expect, or maybe I should say, what NOT to expect.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • rinabobina

      I would like to know what questions you wish you had asked prior to your duodenal switch surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×