BC/BS

My husband is starting the process for WLS.....I'm 4 years out orginally and 1 mo. out from a bowel obstruction/revision of staple line. My question is.....he has BC/BS PPO. He has a MD's letter of 6mo supervised diet, with failure and another attempt in 97. Has anyone else been approved with them......he doesn't have monthly check in's this year documented with the MD, just a letter. How long did you have to wait after submission? Thanks!

My husband and I were both approved thru BCBS/PPO in Jan of 2002 and 2003. It took us about a month to get a response...Crossing my fingers for your husband!

Once all paper work was completed, about 3 days. Of course I called every day and had doctors office fax paper work to a Representative direct. Once she received it, next day approved. I think key is to get name and fax of one Representative and fax directly to that person. Other wise, it goes to mail room, when some one gets to it, its entered into computer and then assigned to Representative to review and then to team to OK. Hope that helps! Good luck. Marla

uhhhhh Marla..How do you get a Rep.? Fax number.

BC/BS of Fl, state employees, guess all clients, has a team of 4 or 5 Reps that deal with each person(group of clients). I have called so many times, I think I know them all. Just call, get the persons name and ask for their fax #. 3 of the 5 who I dealt with had had the surgery, so they were most helpful! Marla

I didn't have that documentation either but I was told to write a very detailed "plea" letter to BC/BS telling them my history of dieting failures. I did this and then they (Dr.Jawad's staff) told me to start it way back when I first became overweight and include ages and weights. I spilled my guts in that letter, I can't read it without crying. Then they told me to make a calendar or chart of the results of my most recent diet (Atkins) and I did that covering a six month period. I think it also helps if you have any conditions, like my arthritis, that are made worse or complicated by obiesity. My ortho doc wrote a letter for me too. After they had all I could give them I was approved in about a week. Hope your husband has the same sucess. Good luck, Joy

I have BC/BS HMO. I got an answer within 2 weeks of the Doctor's office submitting the information. My PCP copied his complete file when they asked for the diet plan. I did not have a specific plan within last 5 years. I had almost given up in weight loss, so that is another suggestion. I have been going to my PCP about 8 years, had High Blood Pressure and just diagonosed with Diabetes. I am now almost 4 months since surgery and I have lost 70 lbs. I am so thankful I had this surgery.