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

Blue Cross Federal Reasons to get Denied



Recommended Posts

Hi guys,

I need some help. I am currently going through the 3 months supervised diet program with my nutritionist and went on a two week vacation a week after starting seeing her. I am now back from vacation and on my second visit turns out I have gained a few pounds which I know she was not happy to see. I now have a month until I finish the 3 months with her and she basically told me to do the best I can but I am afraid the insurance denies me. I have Federal Blue in Florida and in my initial weight in was above the 40 BMI required.

Do you think I can be denied if I don't lose any weight during the 3 months?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Every ins is different. Mine says ' no gaining' during the supervised program.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

OP, I have FepBlue. I was told no overall gain. I started at 218, then gained after the first month. I became more compliant and my last weight was 214. I was approved. My surgeon deals with a lot of FepBlue patients and they were strict on not gaining. Use this last month to get under your initial weight! You can do this!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Does anyone know of a document that details this for fepblue? The SBP makes no mention of this, but if there are other policy documents out there, I'd love to know what they are so I make sure I am compliant and have no surprises.



Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have BCBS FEP and I did gain weight during the 6 month supervised weight loss. However I did that at the VA for over a year before I even though about WLS. I had zero issues with BCBS FEP approving my WLS.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok good to know. My initial BMI was over 41 on my 1st visit which was at a weight of 265. My second visit was just after I came back from being away for almost two weeks and during the time I gained 9 pounds so I was at 274. As of today, I have two and half weeks to see the nutritionist again and I am at 264 which is 1 pound under my initial weight. I am tracking everything I put into my mouth, working out 4 times a week and eating around 1,250 calories a day. Even so I drop a couple of pounds more, I am hoping I can be under my initial weight in and still over the 40 required BMI. Do you guys think I should be ok?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ok good to know. My initial BMI was over 41 on my 1st visit which was at a weight of 265. My second visit was just after I came back from being away for almost two weeks and during the time I gained 9 pounds so I was at 274. As of today, I have two and half weeks to see the nutritionist again and I am at 264 which is 1 pound under my initial weight. I am tracking everything I put into my mouth, working out 4 times a week and eating around 1,250 calories a day. Even so I drop a couple of pounds more, I am hoping I can be under my initial weight in and still over the 40 required BMI. Do you guys think I should be ok?


I have bcbs federal and my doctor and his staff were very clear that if I gained any weight during any of the weigh ins that I would have to start my 3 months over. I would suggest calling bcbs. They are very helpful. I was able to talk to them about my surgery questions. I think it would easy your mind to know the straight forward answer.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I tried calling twice and all they did was read the requirements over the phone that are on the booklet. My nutrients or the doctors office never said anything about gaining when I first started only clearly said to don't drop under 40 so not sure :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did you talk to customer service or a clinical intake specialist? Find out because sometimes all CS is allowed to do is read from the policy. Ask the intake specialist if there have been any exceptions.

It would be best if you drop your calories to 1000, cut all carbs to just non-starchy vegetable ones plus lean meats to make sure you have a few pounds leeway. I don't have your insurance company but mine says NO gaining. I am currently on vacation but am trying to watch what I eat, I am on vacation for the fun and beauty of the area and not food, although since we are on the beach I am going to the fish market to get fish to cook, we are in a timeshare so have a full kitchen. Make a commitment.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I called today and the lady was extremely nice and basically told me that as stated the requirements are for you to complete the 3 months supervised diet regardless wether you go loose weight or not. Luckily for me as of today, I lost the weight I gained on vacation and now and I am 2 pounds less than starting weight. I am tracking all I eat and I have increased my exercise going to the gym at work during lunch and Orange Theory in the evenings.

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

    • 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.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      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.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 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

    ×