BCBS of MN. BMI of 36 w/ co-morbid. any advise??

[NDgirl 0]

I am 36 years old. BMI of 36 for 1 year now, prevous ranged from 30 to 33 for many years. I now have high blood pressure & pre-diabetic. Been thinking about Lap-Band for a long time. I have BCBS of MN. Has anyone else been in the same situation I am in? Any good advice regarding my insurance?:thumbup:

[Blund 0]

I guess I'm simular. I have BC of California and live in Michigan and just got approved with 36 BMI and co-morbidities of sleep apnea, GERD, arthritis, and depression. My blood sugar, collesteral and blood pressure have always been very good, so I was worried I wouldnt be "morbid" enough with my co-morbidities. They did approve me. My surgeon's office who did the work up thought everything looked good for my approval.

Maybe you've already done this, but find a surgeon in your area and go to their seminar. At my seminar, they seemed to know all of the ins and outs with the insurance companies. Oh, and check your coverage. My BC required that I use a "center of expertise" for the procedure, so you may want to research that first.

I'm still surprised I was approved, so don't give up!

Good Luck

[rkj123 0]

NDgal:

From North Dakota, I would assume, from your name. I am also from ND but now live in SD. I too have BCBS of MN. My BMI was almost 50 so I didn't need any of the co-morbidities but did have to have the 6 month medically supervised weight loss plan. Basically went to my MD first and he wrote a referral to a dietitian that I saw monthly. During the 6 months, I was fighting with the insurance company and eventually got the help of Walter Lindstrom at Obesity Law. I finally was approved and had my surgery on 10/29/07. Started the whole process in March 2007. I can't remember what the specific rules are but I can look around online tomorrow and see if I can find what their current guidelines are. The idea of asking someone at the hospital you plan to go to is awesome too - they really know what is going on. If you are in the Fargo area, I hear Dr. Monson is pretty nice and his bariatiric coordinator is up on all the insurance stuff. I had mine done in Sioux Falls as we have a discount at that hospital through my work. Good luck and I'll see if I can find anything to help you out.

Robin