BCBS PPO requirements

HI All- at the very beginning of the process and am having anxiety about even getting approval. Anyone have this kind of insurance and experience with them?  I am seeing my PCP next week and attending an info session re: lap band surgery. I am 5'6, 225   BMI 35.6 and high cholesterol. I know some of my questions will be answered next week but I am anxious!! Thanks

Hello I was banded in March 2008.  I have BCBS PPO Federal and the only requirements were the psych eval and the nutrional eval.  No 6 month diet or anything.  I had my first appt with my doc on Jan 30th and was banded on March 5th hope this helps.

Hey, I hope you don't mind me asking you a question.  I also have BC/BS Federal, and I just got the call on Mon from my surgeon's assistant that I have a date for my RNY. So....my question is this:  how much out of pocket expenses did you experience with your surgery?  My doctor (Schweitzer) is not a participating doctor to BS/BS, so I expect to have a sizeable out-of-pocket expense to him {but I can submit my payment receipt to BC/BS for re-imbursement].  I am most concerned about any additional fees that I might be responsible for.  The other associated expenses (hospital stay, anesthesiologist, etc. will be covered under my plan. It's one thing to be aware of a few thousand dollar expense that I might be responsible for, but quite another to get hit with a $60,000 unexpected expense. I can't quite seem to figure out just what I'll be responsible for.  Thankfully, I have a month to figure it out before my surgery.

Hi, I have BCBS of California PPO and I'm required to have a psych evaluation, letter from my PCP, and see a nutritianist of 6 months. You should check with your insurance for your specific requirements. Good luck!

I have BC Blue Choice Open Access. They tell me on the phone I don't need the 6 month diet and that ALL would be covered if it's "medically necessary." I have my suspicions though. from what I read on here BCBS had different plans and different rules for each. I'm at the beginning of this process too. I have a surgical consult on Monday and am anxious as well. .

I had BC/BS open access and although I loved the insurance policy, I WAS required to do the 6 month physician supervised WL. Keep in mind that was 3 years ago.  But you cannot trust anything the tell you over the phone. Go to the website and go the the 'contact us' section. ask them specifically: what are the exclusions, if any, for weight loss surgery on policy/group number ________. (give them YOUR group or member number) and have them respond to you in writing. They will probably send you some jumbled terms and conditions from the policy manual but take that to your surgeon so that everyone is clear as to what is actually required.