Insurance Question- BCBS

Hello All,
I hoping to have surgery in the next few months and it appears that BCBS has changed their policy effective July 1, 2009 that they will only consider surgery at a center of excellence? Has anyone else read or heard about this?  Thanks alot!

we have FEP BC/BS and yes they will only cover a COE


here is a list of the Bariatric Surgery Centers Approved by BC/BS Federal:

www.bcbs.com/innovations/bluedistinction/blue-distinction-ba riatric/bluedistinctionbariatric.pdf

You will find quite of few surgeons that work at a center of excellence. 

Wishing you all the best in your journey.

from the link I posted these are the Maryland COEs

MARYLAND
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Baltimore
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore Baltimore
St. Agnes Hospital Baltimore
University of Maryland Medical Center Baltimore

Thank you all for your responses and guidance.  I called the BCBS customer service line and they said as long as I stay in network with a preferred provider and hospital that it will paid  at 100%.  That I was not obligated to goto a COE- those were the ones that they recommended but not mandatory.  Baltimore is just far for me to travel if i do not have to.  Thank you again for your help, this is going to be life changing for me. I'm planning to have the VSG.