What was your approval process like with BCBSM?

Hi all.. I have been researching WLS. I have BCBSM.. and I am wondering what was the approval process like? Did you have a problem getting approval?  I called to see what the requirements were, and Dr. Foote (at MMPC) made it seem like it was fairly easy to get approval with BCBSM if your BMI is over 50. (Mine is.) I would appreciate any advice or experiences you have to share.. I want to get as much info as possible!

I had no problems at all with BC/BS and I had a BMI of 40. I have to admit that my doctors office did everything all of them are fantastic there and made everything seem soooooo simple. 

Hi Jodie, I have bcbsm ppo thru the state of mi.  my process was so easy and quick. i had met all the requirements before hand, make sure you get the list, like diet attempts, etc.  Barix Clinic in Ypsi did all of the other work for me.  They were so good to me.  I would highly recommend Dr. Schram there.  He did my lap RNY.  My approval only took a couple days from bcbsm.  If you have any other questions, you can PM me. Good Luck, Belinda

I also have BC/BS PPO thru the State of Michigan.  There is no preauthorization required.  The doctor's insurance specialist will know if you meet the requirements or not.  They have to have all the documentation on file in case of audit.  I have completed my supervised dieting.  So all that is left is any medical test and psych exam that the insurance requires. 

The new BCBS MI req. no longer require any documentation for a BMI >50.  They also no longer require preapproval.  Like PP said, if the surgeon follows the written guidelines (every surgeon has a copy) then you are okay!  I asked my surgeon for a copy so I could see it for myself.  GL!

The process is a lot easier now since the beginning of this year with BCBSM. They changed their requirements and you should have no problem if you BMI is over 50. I was supposed to have a 12 month surpervised physcian diet but since the requirements changed in the beginning of the year I no longer need that and now I am having surgery Feb 12.

Hi and welcome to the beginning of your journey, To start with, Dr, Foote is a top- notch surgeon. he has a wonderful bedside maner and will tell you if you are not doing what you need tp be doing. He is honest and that is a great thing in a surgeon, plus his surgical skills are wonderful,(I am saying this as an observer, he was not my surgeron) I also see that you are asking questions about time, and approval, I think BCBS is pretty cut and dry these days, but please, go outside of OH and ask some yahoo or other sites, questions as o experience, I don't really have names, some give good facts, some are slanted either positive or negaive, some are just friendly ramblings and suggestions, but do please expand your knowledge base You are always welcome to contact me and I can mention some that I am familiar with(but have no owndership or moderator rights to(that woudl be soliciting and I think that is wrong)... Best of luck.. Wigglypoo2000