Tips and Tricks for BCBS of Texas?

Looking for tips and tricks with BCBS of Tx if any of you have dealt with them. I was denied 2 years ago due to lack of 6mth medically supervised diet. But am now in one again (started last week) and would like to get this done and submitted for surgery this year (before an exclusion can be made!) Thanks!< x-posted to Insurance help

Shelly, Have you thought about going to Mexico? Since you live in Texas you are close. I had mine done in Mexico on July 1st. A wonderful experience.....others that I have spoken to also feel the same. Check it out! You might be surprised. Dee

How much did it cost you to go to Mexico? How clean and professional was the experience? Thanks!

The surgery was $7 thousand, plus the flight (130.00). Very professional. I actually got better care there than I have ever gotten in a hospitial in the US! I have no problem recommending this to anyone. I had insurance that would cover the surgery. But, I would still have costs of around 12 thousand after insurance! I was told about Mexico from a friend that is in a support group that had women and a man that had theirs done in Mexico. I did lots of research and talked and e'd lots of people. Look into it! Dee

No tricks, but tips. I have BCBS of Texas and I was approved the first time. I had to complete a medically supervised diet for six months. This was a "nutrition" class sponsored by the staff of the Dr. performing the surgery. It was very beneficial in helping you to understand what was expected of you after having the surgery and what to expect, ie food portions, etc. Then I had to have a psychologist eval. After that my Dr. ordered a cardiologist approval and a sleep study. Not all of them do. I also had to show that I have been in the morbid obese category for the past five years. Since I went in yearly for OB/GYN visits, I was able to get a copy of those records showing that I maintain this weight for more than five years. I hope this helps!

Did you have to go to your pcp doctor and do the nutrition class. I am only going to my dr once a month, we talk about nutrition but he isn't a specilist in it.

No, I went to a separate nutrition class and I only went to him for the initial visit and after I had completed the six months classes. I am assuming that Carlos Ferrai is your physician you have selected to do your surgery. I am no expert, but that would probably work. Other ins. have clauses that state that the Dr. you visit for the nutrition appt.'s can't be the same person performing the surgery-conflict of interest. Another thing with BCBS, if you can show that you have been to WW, JC, where you can show proof that you have been to the classes for six months within the last two years, that will work as well. It has to be six consecutive months though. If you live in the Dallas area, the Dr's name was Dr. Davidson and he has a separate program through Nova Body Solutions.