BCBS Vitamin Approval

[Tristenhilpert97 40]

Did anyone esle have to get a prior approval from ANthem Blue Cross Blue SHield for the Vitamin subscription through Nascobal? The clinic is saying most of the time if they require a prior authorization then they won't approve it but not trying to get my hopes down. Also, Nascobal said it would be $488 per month if I were to pay it myself. My wifes was approved but mine hasn't been, different insirance companies, and I was wondering if anyone else has been or is in this boat? Also do you recommend a different Multivitamin and B12?

Thanks!

[JustSJ 57]

Wow, that's high! Is your clinic requiring you to take it as a sleeve patient? I've been fine taking a regular sublingual B-12 supplement. Most of the bariatric Multivitamins have a lot of extra B Vitamins. I use a multi plus the additional sublingual B-12.

[Tristenhilpert97 40]

30 minutes ago, JustSJ said:

Wow, that's high! Is your clinic requiring you to take it as a sleeve patient? I've been fine taking a regular sublingual B-12 supplement. Most of the bariatric Multivitamins have a lot of extra B Vitamins. I use a multi plus the additional sublingual B-12.

They aren't requiring that specific one that is just the one they run insurance through. I am currently looking at Bariatric Choice for my multivitamin with Iron. Then Citrical Maximum for my Calcium unless my insurance approves the other. Now to find a good b12!

[Sleeve_Me_Alone 656]

That is awfully pricey. I take the ProCare one a day capsule with 18mg Iron, and their calcium chews. They are much more budget friendly, and there are other bariatric brands that are even cheaper. I would say shop around and see what you can find. Any Vitamin that meets the ASMBS recommendations will do.

[catwoman7 11,216]

that price is insane. I bet I spend $10-20 a month tops. I just get a bunch of drug store Vitamins. If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), they may cover vitamins if your clinic writes them up as a prescription and says they're medically necessary (which for WLS patients, they are...)

[lizonaplane 1,613]

I use pro-care health one a day with 45mg Iron. It's ONE PILL A DAY. I wasn't going to be messing around with ten different pills on top of all the other pills I take. It's specially formulated for bariatric use, so it already has the B12 and everything else. I am supposed to take Calcium too, but usually I get enough calcium from the Protein Drink, cheese, and yogurt.

I haven't had labs done yet, so I can't say for sure if my levels are good, but my clinic recommended this brand and so do other bariatric nutritionists.

[MandoGetsSleeved 443]

BCBS approved mine (same brand), but we had already met our max out of pocket for the year.

[ShoppGirl 4,885]

I use Pro Care health one a day as well. It’s truly a one a day and it’s cheaper than many other bariatric Vitamins. I got my first labs back since I switched to it and they were great. I also take calcium citrate. I just googled that brand Vitamin and it says it for B12 deficiency. Do you already have a deficiency or is your doctor anticipating one? Because I don’t think everyone with the sleeve becomes deficient. I am not sure what the levels of b-12 are in the pro care health if they would be comparable or not. That may be best to Ask Your team if that’s what they prescribed for You.

Edited November 3, 2021 by ShoppGirl

[vikingbeast 987]

On 11/1/2021 at 4:22 PM, lizonaplane said:

I use pro-care health one a day with 45mg Iron. It's ONE PILL A DAY. I wasn't going to be messing around with ten different pills on top of all the other pills I take. It's specially formulated for bariatric use, so it already has the B12 and everything else. I am supposed to take Calcium too, but usually I get enough Calcium from the Protein Drink, cheese, and yogurt.

I haven't had labs done yet, so I can't say for sure if my levels are good, but my clinic recommended this brand and so do other bariatric nutritionists.

Liz, can you link your pro-care Vitamin please? Because I am sick unto death of taking a million effing pills! I am -> <- this close to just doing one of those ridiculous custom vitamin programs.

[lizonaplane 1,613]

1 hour ago, vikingbeast said:

Liz, can you link your pro-care Vitamin please? Because I am sick unto death of taking a million effing pills! I am -> <- this close to just doing one of those ridiculous custom Vitamin programs.

https://procarenow.com/once-daily-bariatric-multivitamin-capsule/?sku=Vit-BariCaps45mg-30ct

I will say that the other night for the first time I got really nauseous, but it had been hours since I had eaten anything (like 5-6 hours) so I ended up eating half a Protein Bar and that fixed it right away. It's because I take them with all my other meds before bed time. I should really take them with dinner.

I think they also sell them on BariatricPal.com and I know you can get them from Amazon. Amazon is actually more expensive than buying directly from the company, not sure about BariatricPal.

Edited November 3, 2021 by lizonaplane

[vikingbeast 987]

1 hour ago, lizonaplane said:

https://procarenow.com/once-daily-bariatric-multivitamin-capsule/?sku=Vit-BariCaps45mg-30ct

I will say that the other night for the first time I got really nauseous, but it had been hours since I had eaten anything (like 5-6 hours) so I ended up eating half a Protein Bar and that fixed it right away. It's because I take them with all my other meds before bed time. I should really take them with dinner.

I think they also sell them on BariatricPal.com and I know you can get them from Amazon. Amazon is actually more expensive than buying directly from the company, not sure about BariatricPal.

OMAIGÁ. I could take one of these suckers plus extra B12 and my Calcium (separate from the iron) and just be DONE. Thank you!!

[vikingbeast 987]

1 hour ago, lizonaplane said:

https://procarenow.com/once-daily-bariatric-multivitamin-capsule/?sku=Vit-BariCaps45mg-30ct

I will say that the other night for the first time I got really nauseous, but it had been hours since I had eaten anything (like 5-6 hours) so I ended up eating half a Protein Bar and that fixed it right away. It's because I take them with all my other meds before bed time. I should really take them with dinner.

I think they also sell them on BariatricPal.com and I know you can get them from Amazon. Amazon is actually more expensive than buying directly from the company, not sure about BariatricPal.

OMAIGÁ. I could take one of these suckers plus extra B12 and my Calcium (separate from the iron) and just be DONE. Thank you!!

Note: These are US$13.40 for a 30-day supply from the maker, $16.99 from BariatricPal, and $19.99 on Amazon. Use code Susan10 (as of today) for 10% off on the maker's website, so it'd be $12.06.

Edited November 3, 2021 by vikingbeast

[lizonaplane 1,613]

42 minutes ago, vikingbeast said:

OMAIGÁ. I could take one of these suckers plus extra B12 and my Calcium (separate from the iron) and just be DONE. Thank you!!

Note: These are US$13.40 for a 30-day supply from the maker, $16.99 from BariatricPal, and $19.99 on Amazon. Use code Susan10 (as of today) for 10% off on the maker's website, so it'd be $12.06.

My surgery center said these have enough B12 that I wouldn't have to take extra.

[ShoppGirl 4,885]

9 minutes ago, lizonaplane said:

My surgery center said these have enough B12 that I wouldn't have to take extra.

I take them and I don’t take extra B12 either and I have had labs and they were great. So unless your B12 was already borderline or something you shouldn’t need it. Just FYI

[vikingbeast 987]

I ordered them! You have saved me so much PITA in the morning!