Company switching from BCBS of Mass to Tuft's

[bookaddict 0]

I am so frustrated! I have now gone through more than half of my hospital's lap band program, had a zillion appointments, getting close to actual surgery (after waiting for over a year) and now my husband's company has switched to Tufts. I was all set with BCBS.

Tuft's does cover lap band but requires a specific 6 month doc monitored diet in Boston. I am not sure if all I have done will count towards that 6 months and I can't drive back and forth to Boston. I feel like I can't go through another 6 months of all of this either. :laugh:

Has anyone else used Tuft's? What was the program like?

Thanks Everyone!

[sisterc 0]

I am not sure what hospital you are going through, but I am in MA and went to BI Hospital in Boston. I also had another insurance a year ago and now have BCBS and was covered. The center I went through would help you with all the paperwork and see how they can help the process they were great and very helpful with me. I wish you the best and hope someone can help speed up the process for you.

[LSF 264]

I have Tufts - they make you go through a 6 month "I Can Change" program. They are phone appointments with a counselor. I just finished the first 2 months. Tufts will only cover the lapband if you have high cholesterol, diabetes or another medical condition OR you must have a BMI of 40 or higher. Good luck!

[bookaddict 0]

Thank you so much for your replies.

I will be really upset if I have to start over. I wonder if they will count the two months I have already put in towards the 6 month requirement?

I am student teaching in the fall and we had planned to do the surgery before school starts. Once school starts, I will have to wait until next summer because I will not be able to take time off.

Thanks again!

[heidib 15]

I'm so afraid of the same thing happening to me! My husbands company has switched back n forth between Cigna & BC/BS NH. several times. What if I do everything then they swith or I get 1/2 way then they switch!?!?!?

[LSF 264]

I've been very frustrated having to wait the 6 months. I started doing everything in January and I'm gaining weight, not losing. If all goes well, I will be eligable for surgery in October (that's a total of 10 months from when I started). But even then , the surgeon said it takes another 3 weeks to schedule the surgery. And if I get denied, then all this time wasted was for nothing.

[Maverick70 0]

I don't know about the insurance, but Tufts does have the Obesity Consulting Clinic. I'm getting a Lapband through that program. You can find their website at Tufts Medical Center - Obesity Treatment.

They have a video of the operation, etc. on their website.

Good luck.

Maverick70

[LSF 264]

I finally completed the Tufts 6 month program and they approved the surgery with-in 24 hours. Now the problem is getting the surgery scheduled - they are so booked up.