I have BCBS--I am not sure if it is of Kansas or not.  I don't think it has anything to do with the insurance company itself, but what your coverage for your company is.  My company just started covering it last year, so I was lucky.  Once I started the ball rolling, it only took two months from start to finish to get the surgery done.  I had to compile some information, but it was relatively easy.  So the key is to find out the coverage for the company, not the actual insurance company. 

Hi, Everyone.
I thought I'd share my daughter Leah's Chicken Zucchini Pizza recipe. It's low-carb.

3 c. zucchini, shredded
3 large eggs, well-beaten
1/3 c. all-purpose flour (you could use any type of flour)
1 1/2 tsp. oregano, divided
1 tsp. dried basil, divided
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. ripe black olives, diced or sliced
2/3 c. green oinions (with tops), sliced
1/2 c. green pepper, chopped
2 c. (8 oz.) mozzarella cheese, shredded
2-3 medium fresh tomatoes, peeled & sliced thin (about 12 slices)
1 sm. can (4 oz.) mushroom pieces and stems, drained (could use fresh)
8 oz. Tyson chicken breast, diced

Place zucchini in strainer and press out excess liquid. In mixing bowl, combine zucchini, well-beaten eggs, flour, 1/2 tsp. oregano, 1/2 tsp. basil and salt. Mix well. Spread evenly over the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch pan or dish. Bake in 450 degree oven for 8-10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.
Reduce oven to 350 degrees. Sprinkle zucchini crust with chicken, olives, green onions, green pepper, cheese, and remaining oregano and basil. Cover with tomato slices. Bake 25-30 minutes in preheated oven or until cheese is bubbly. Cool on wire rack 5 minutes before cutting into 12 squares. Serving size: 1 square.

Nutritional Info.
Fat: 5.3g
Carbs: 6.5g
Calories: 119.6
Protein: 11.7g

Enjoy!
Blessings,
Mary

I have suffered for years from BC/BS of KS's total exclusion of all WLS, too. Even with a letter from my primary care doctor listing my comorbidities in the request, it did no good. (That was around 2005.)  I am not aware of anyone getting WLS coverage out of them.  (If anyone has, I'd like to hear about it.)  My health just got worse, until I am now on disability and waited the years until I could have Medicare, which will cover it.  (Just to be clear on the difference, I was referring to Medicare only, KS Medicaid excludes it.)
I think the first person *****plied to your post spoke about the employer's choices in what to cover.  In many places around the U.S., that is the case, but I think in KS, BC/BS of KS does not even offer any plan the employer can pick that includes WLS, nor any such rider.  The employer would have to pick an entirely different insurance company. 
Please know other states' BC/BS plans sometimes do cover WLS. 

I've learned that my *wonderful* insurance will not cover ANY THING related to weight loss.  Once I learned that I stopped researching Lap-Band.  The other day someone was telling me that if your PCP 'orders' surgery like Lap-Band for what is essentially a co-morbidity such as HBP or Diabetes, etc. that the insurance provider would have to pay.  Is there any truth to this?  I'm naturally skeptical but cautiously optimistic.  

I've actually considered changing jobs so that I could change insurance providers but the place I was considering applying has BCBS of Nebraska so I'm not real sure that they'd cover it, either!  

Anyway, does anyone have experience with this type of thing that could offer some insight?

TIA!

Hi, Michelle.
In thinking about your situation, I wonder if your surgeon's office may be able to help you locate a good PCP in Emporia. It might be worth a phone call.
If you can find a support group in your area, you could bring up your need at a meeting, and see who others go to. Good luck in finding a good personal care physician.
Blessings,
Mary