BCBS Health Options Florida - HELP!

Help! BCBS in Florida has an exclusion clause for RNY and Lap-band starting this year (1/1/05). I have finally decided to go for it and have the lap-band done and now I've hit a brick wall, its extremely depressing. I was wondering if anyone with my same insurance in Florida has had any success in getting special approval and if so, how you did it? Thank you, Jennifer

I am sorry to say but you are too late. You waited too long. It is statewide or maybe should I say nation wide. Your only other choice is to go to Voc Rehab.

I really never considered the surgery until a couple months ago when my physician suggested it. My employer is self-insured and they have instructed us to work off the 2004 Benefit Plan Summary so I am fighting from that angle and will pay out of pocket if I have to but of course that is not the ideal route. What does Voc Rehab mean?

What is the Purpose of Vocational Rehabilitation? The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) provides services for eligible persons with physical or mental impairments. These services are designed to enable you to prepare for, get, keep, or regain employment. What Types of Services Does DVR Provide? DVR offers other services which might be needed to assist you in your rehabilitation. Based on your disability and your vocational goal, you may require one or more of the following services: - Vocational Evaluation - Career Planning - Job Placement - Counseling and Guidance - Job Coaching - Assessment of Technology Needs - Speech and Language Therapy - Rehabilitation Engineering Services - Training and Education After High School - Support Services - Medical and Psychological Diagnosis - On-Site Job/Task Analysis and Treatment Am I Eligible for DVR ? Eligibility for DVR services, as determined below, is based upon the presence of a physical or mental impairment and a goal of employment. - The physical or mental impairment constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment. - The individual's employment outcome can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services. - The individual requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, to get, to keep, or to regain employment. An eligibility decision will be made within 60 days after you apply for services, unless cir****tances prevent such a decision or you are involved in a trial work experience. If you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance(SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for your disability, you are eligible for DVR services if you intend to secure employment. DVR Consumer Application Consumer Appication (English) Consumer Application (Spanish) VR Office & Vendor Listing VR Consumer Resources VR Handbook of Services The following handbook outlines the services offered by vocational rehabilitation. With this information you will be able to take an active part in creating your Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). Go to their site. http://www.rehabworks.org/