BCBS accepted by Barix Clinics?

I posted this on Monday, but no one responded. Does anyone have any information about Barix Clinics and their acceptance of BCBS in IL for their bariatric program? I saw a post a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't get the details.

I looked through some of the hospital reviews under Bariatric Hospitals to the left and clicked on Barix Clinic and there are a TON of people on there and didnt have a whole lot of time to go through them all. I did see a couple that had BCBS, here is what 1 person had to say. bc/bs, ppo I had to call bc/bs once or twice a week and work through many offices before I finally was able to set a surgery date. The local bc/bs company that my employer deals with was of very little help to me. " So it looks like they do accept, you could probably call and they could help you out more than I could..lol

Ted, I was going to go through Barix before I changed my mind and chose another surgeon (wont bore you with details, if you want them email me and i'll tell you why, some is explained on my profile). At the time of my consult about 6 weeks ago, BC/BS was not accepted by Barix. They were in the process of hammering out a new deal. As far as I know, they do not accept it as of yet but might sometime soon. They did in the past but i'm not sure when they stopped covering it. You might want to try calling the Schaumburg or Belvidere office and find out. Be careful though, I know people who have had BC/BS and were not told that Barix was not using them until after the consult is done (which costs $85.00) only to find out they would not be covered. Best of luck to you! ~Jenn

Yeah, I think I saw your post about how they wouldn't recommend you for laparoscopic because of your BMI. I understand your point, but I also understand the surgeon's also. You do have the right to seek another surgeon, but you should be glad that the Barix surgeon was upfront about not doing it if he wasn't comfortable. Anyway, thanks for the info.

Actually there was alot more to it than that. I was trying to help because you were complaining that no one was responding to your posts. Guess I won't do that again! good luck to you. ~Jenn

Grrr...I was just reiterating what you posted originally about not being recommended for lap and that you should do what you feel is right. I wasn't attacking you. No need for the attitude. Thanks for the info though. Big Ted

ok.. whine about your posts not being responded to then cop an attitude when someone does post... then claim THEY have an attitude? hehe.. you slay me! I won't respond to them anymore ~Jenn

My original response to you wasn't harsh. I just think you need to realize that the surgeon who didn't recommend you was doing so in your best interest. I can see how you would take it as an attack on you personally. Quite often people do.

Ted, Gah, I hate the fact that I'm the only person in Il awake at this time...oh well...I work late, what can I say? Oh yeah, the point! I have BC/BS IL and actually had my consult with Barixs the end 6/28. When I initially called to make the appt, I was told they did not accept BC/BS. They called me back 3 days later and said they had come to a tentative aggreement, and that I could come in for a consult. I went in 6/28 and haven't heard a peep since. Needless to say, I've been going nuts, and called BC/BS...they do not even have Barix in their systems. I also called Barix, and was told they are still working on an agreement, and they do not know how long it will be. ***side note - I was told Barix stopped accepting BC/BS last summer because they would not pay enough for the surgery. Barix cancelled the contract with BC/BS and now they are trying to get it back. The facilities themselves are still covered (according to Barix) but the physicians are not. Ok back to the point...I have started investigating other options, as the woman at Barix told me flat out that they "should not have brought the BC/BS people in so soon" and that she did not know when they would have an agreement. I hope this helps, and sorry for the lengthy response, I just don't want you to be as frustrated as I have been Good luck, and please e-mail me if you have any questions/concerns

From what I was told, they don' accept BCBS bacause I also have that insurance. Thier surgeons are not on ANY of the preferred provider lists and you're either gonna have a really hard time getting surgery, or you're going to have a lot of out-of-pocket expenses. I usually not one to give advice, but I think you should look at other centers.