Hoping someone from Illinois has same insurance. Help please?

My husband works for UPS and our insurance provider is BCBS-TeamCare-Central States Southeast and Southwest Health and Welfare Fund. Mouth full huh? Anyhow, I am in the final steps of the process. I got a call today from doctors office and was informed that my insurance company does not cover the surgery for anyone. I called the insurance company and spoke with someone different. They said that I would need to have a letter submitted on my behalf by the doctor and then when it was denied an appeal would have to be submitted. She did however inform me that there had been members approved for the surgery, however not many, she added. Please give me some guidance. Thanks! Leanne

Hi Leanna, Here's my advice. Document everything you do, the times, dates & names of people you talk to. Get as much as you can in writing. If you haven't already, get a hard copy of your policy, specifically the parts that relate to WLS. Follow the process: submit, get the denial, go from there. Stay on the insurance company: call them regularly. See if you can find someone else who was approved by your insurer: as them how thier process went along. Good Luck! Katie

Look for Lori W. she posts here sometimes, look under the members and email her and ask her about this. I THINK she works for UPS and just had the surgery. I do not know what kind of insurance she has, do they have different ones??? Find Lori and ask her, Good luck, Nancy

I do not have your insurance but when I was denied I hired a obesity lawyer Walter Lindstrom from California, to fight my appeal! It cost me $1100.00 but was well worth it! I sent him the money, filled out all paper work, got him copies of everything, called him weekly to keep track of it then 3 mths latter I was approved! I dont think it would have happened without him! They denied me twice before I hired him! Make sure you start a supervised diet and exercise plan, Go to your Dr once a mth and keep track of your weight! Just incase they ask for proof your tryin to diet. Better be safe than sorry! I am 2.5 yrs out, lost 140lbs, it was not easy! Last night I tried eating a fish and frys from McDonalds! I ate 4 bites of fish and a couple frys and I threw the rest away! Sometimes I get brave but not often! Just give me cottage cheese or yogart and I will be fine! ha ha No I really could care less for meats! Dont know why! My mind and body has gone threw so many changes! Good Luck! See ya lighter! Cyndi