BCBS Federal Question?

I just got my "pre-certification/pre-notification" letter. Did anyone have problems getting BCBS-Fed* to actually PAY for the surgery? *(With Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal (Illinois) you don't need pre approval for WLS. If you meet their qualifications you can get WLS, no 6 month diet, no hoops, but.... there is no guarantee of benefits) So, I think that means if I have the surgery, the hospital submits my bills to BCBS...they can deny me???...and I may still owe lots of $$ ??? All replys are welcome. Thank you!

Hi Lady K, I have BCBS but not Federal. I will also have to precertify for the hospilization before my surgery. Are you sure you don't need pre approval? These are 2 different things. Call your customer service number, not the pre-certification number and ask them. Just be careful, because like they told you, precerification is no guarentee of benefits. It just means that they won't with hold up to 50% of approved benefits because you didn't call to pre-cert Regards, Ronna

Thank you for your reply! I will double check with them Monday morning. Just needed some feedback from all of you "experts" before I call

I have the same insurance, and according to the insurance it is covered f the BCBS agrees that it is medically necessary. If you read the policy online it states it, also for Plastic Surgery as well. I had the surgery, they didn't ask me for money, I did not mention it either. Trust God and Live!! Don't worry! I had my surgery with Dr. Nagle at Northwestern in Chicago. Once everything was in it took about 7days. They have a separate department that handles nothing but WLS.......I think they only cover RNY. Thanks