Does anyone have BCBS of GA - Federal

As I stated in another post I am just starting out with my journey toward WLS.  Does anyone else have BCBS of GA Federal employee insurance?  I am curious as to what they required you to do before giving approval for the surgery.  I am currently at 43 for my BMI, so I know I am above the 40 they require in my benefits booklet, but what about any referrals, letters of necessity, etc... does anyone have any advice for the newbie?

Thanks for any advice,
Dee

I have federal BCBS of gA and they were very supportive. You must see a a surgeon and then a dietician and physchiatrist. Once the above individuals submit there report to your physcian, who in turns subit the reports to the insurance company, you should have a approval letter within 3-4wks. I had my band done on July 14th and I've lost 18lbs. Godd luck Lesley

Thank  you Lesley.  I have been reading ALOT about this surgery and the requirements for the surgery.... I finally have my appt with the surgeon this coming week and I was concerned that maybe there is something else I need to do before seeing the surgeon.... Its great to hear how supportive the insurance is/was for you and hopefully will be for me as well. Congrats on the band and the weight loss- so quick, thats excellent.  I hope to be joining in on all this real soon.

Dee

Good luck and let me know if I can be of further assitance.

Hi - I have BCBS - FEP, and if I have surgery in GA, it will be BCBS of GA.  I was hoping Dr. Smith would be in-network with them, but he is not.  I'm only interested in the DS, and he is the logical choice, but not so certain without him being in-network.  I've been told he is one of the best. 

 Sorry I can't be of any help!   

I have bcbs-fep and i had a sleep study...have co-morbities...but....when getting approval i didnt have to submit anything else!!!  my paperwork was sent in on friday and by wednesday the next week my dr called and said i was APPROVED!!! 

hope this helps!!

Kelly - which surgery will you be having? 

RNY

I have BCBS of GA Federal and it was so easy to get approval that it is almost scary.  I decided to have my surgery in Florida.  The first thing I did was go see the surgeon.  That was on a Friday.  I had my approval by the following Friday.  BCBS did not ask for anything.  T

The surgeon did provide a list of my prior weight loss attempts when the contacted BCBS.  We were worried they would deny because my BMI was 35 exactly.  I have multiple co-morbidities so it was at the low end of what BCBS Federal will approve.  When the physician's office called BCBS they asked a few questions regarding my diabetes and said that they would have the medical director make the decision to approve or not.  The following day there was an approval....nothing else.  They didn't ask for a sleep study, any written doc on previous weight loss attempts from my primary care, no psych eval, etc.  My surgeon did have me do a heart stress test though since I had a heart attack 8 years ago.

I called to make an appointment and saw the surgeon within 1 week.  I had my approval exactly 1 week later (this was a Friday).  I had my stress test the following Tuesday and the surgeon was ready to do the RNY on the following Wednesday but I couldn't due to work obligations.  I've now scheduled for 9/10.  So...from the first contact with the surgeon to the surgery could have been less than 1 month...but will now be 2 mos.

Easy!