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

BCBS Anyone? Share your experiences



Recommended Posts

Hello everyone,

Care to share your experience with BCBS... I have Anthem BCBS PPO of Virginia... I am still waiting on my surgeons office to send in all the paperwork for approval.

Once your office sent it in, how long did it take for you to get approved or denied?:)

I am so anxious, just keeping busy at work... but it is hard not to worry about the approval process. I have started calling the surgeons office once a day, but so far they keep saying my file is in a different dept. I guess they are trying to get all the different appts I had together in one place. However, I dont know ... they just say they dont have my file and this person may have it etc...

So I am just calling once a day....So frustrating...

Good luck to everyone !

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I checked and made sure that I had met all of the qualifications that were required by BCBS and then made sure the surgeons office had everything they needed as proof, they sent the letter in and I had the approval letter in less than a week. I was SHOCKED!

Good luck

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

went great for me i have bcbs michigan@@@@ all i needed was dr approvel saying it was medical ness and i was in

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am glad you posted what I was thinking...I just finished all my appts,labs,x-ray ect. I have my 2nd visit with the surgeon on Sept. 2nd. I was told it could take up to 30 days to find out if you've been approved. If you got your approval in a week how long after that did you have your surgery?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi everyone,

I not only have BCBS-GA, but i work for them. As long as you have all the necessary documents submitted it actually does not take that long.........After my suergon submitted the paperwork they told me the same thing regarding 30 days, but 30 days is the longest they can have it.

My approval came in one week and they actually told me before the doctor's office. I called the doctor's office and they told me that i could schedule mine as soon as the first opening in two weeks.......I chose 09/04 because it's my birthday and labor day weekend so that i won't have to take much time off from work.

I hope that helps :)!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have BCBS of North Dakota and after all of my necessary appointments were finished it also took about 9 days to be approved and surgery within 2 weeks. Wow it went SO fast.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have BCBS in New York.

I had made sure I was going to meet all their requirements before I began the process. After about 6 months of prep, seeing nutritionist, psychologist, getting sonograms done, getting documentation, and dropping 5% body weight, they denied me 2 days after my surgeon sent in the pre-approval request and paperwork.

They denied me for "indications of severe liver disease", which I don't have. I do have "fatty liver disease", which their policy specifically mentions as not being considered a disqualifying reason, so it should never have been denied in the first place.

They had 30 days to consider the appeal, and make a decision. They waited until the afternoon of the 30th day to overturn the denial. Lord was I pissed.

Sometimes I wonder if the people against health care reform have ever actually dealt with an insurance company.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i have bcbs il and it took all of about 3-4 days to get approval - i was shocked because this seems to be the hardest insurance to get approval from. i am scheduled for surgery on 09/08 - woot woot !:drool:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a BCBS patient in PA and it really just took a day or so.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have Anthem BC/BS of CT. I am just on the cusp of not needing lap band. I weigh 200 and have a BMI of 34.8. I have alot of medical problems however so weight loss is a necessity to try and get rid of some of my health problems.

I had to get a letter from my primary physician, see the nutritionist and a psychologist before the surgeon sent in the papers.

I had my reply within 2 weeks. I really thought I would have to resubmit, so I was surprised.

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

    ×