Question:
IF YOU HAVE BCBS OF FLORIDA,HOW LONG WAS IT BEFORE YOU WERE APPROVED?
— latreshar (posted on April 15, 2008)
April 15, 2008
I thaught that BCBS no longer covered Gastris bypass or any WLS. I hope I
am wrong.
— Tawnda C.
April 15, 2008
My son has BCBS of California and he has a six month diet program to go
thru..Call them and find out.
— dyates2948
April 15, 2008
I had BCBS of Florida at the time of my LapBand on 08/03/06 and at that
time NO WLS was covered under any circumstance. An absolute plan
exclusion. It was my understanding it was still the same today. I paid
$18,500 out of pocket for my surgery,,, it sounds like a lot of money, but-
I had to look at it as a drop in the bucket to save my life,,, and it did.
I am down 135# and still going. No longer a diabetic or hypertensive.
Good luck
Dawn
— DawnVic
April 15, 2008
Hi...I just had surgery on the 3rd...(RNY) & I have bc/bs of Fla....it
paid for my surgery and only took 3 weeks after I submitted all the things
they asked of me...but in all honesty....i asked one of the reps I talked
to at customer service how long it actually took and he said 1 week...that
maybe mine was so long due to the Dr. office not getting all the info in on
time....but hey...3 weeks still isn't bad. Blue Cross wants the
following...6 month documentation of Dr.assisted weight loss program
(supervised)...psych evaluation...any documented problems from
obesity....and proof that U attended some type of weightloss
seminar....also be aware that there must be proof somewhere (probably from
your primary care physician) that the reason for your obesity isn't a
medical issue...such as thyroid..or something else...so make SURE your Doc
does a thyroid panel on you!! they also want past history of obesity going
back 5 years so gather all info..(especially from Doctors).. like Gym
memberships..diet pills you have taken..diet plans you have tried(Jenny
Craig..Nutri-System etc.)...ANY problems you had due to obesity,(even
during pregnancies) list...list...list..it will help you out believe me!!
They DID NOT ask me for a sleep apnea test (Blue Cross that is)..so don't
worry about that. just make sure You have all of that info I mentioned
before to submit to your surgeon...or whomever you choose to perform the
procedure...My surgeon's office took care of everything for me after I gave
them all of my documentation....they dealt with Blue cross and submitted
the approval letter....(but I bugged Blue Cross wanting to know...am I
approved yet?? am I approved yet?? I know they got sick of me!!!) lol!!! I
hope this helps u!!!!
— NoLeChiC
April 15, 2008
I have BCBS of MA and only took a week to get approved. I didn't have to
diet before my surgery besides the pre-op diet. But not all BCBS are the
same.
— Karen M.
April 16, 2008
i have bcbs fl- NOT covered- excluded. i was self pay.
— PEARLJAM73
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