Does anyone know if BC/BS Community Blue covers WLS?

I was a member here once before.  I had HAP.  I no sooner got my approval after a year of arguing with HAP and my employer laid us off and I was unable to have my surgery before my insurance coverage ran out.  Now I have a new job and my new insurance kicks in July 1 and it is BC/BS Community Blue (#4-whatever that means).  Just wondering if anyone has experience with this provider.

Hello, I have BCBS/Comm Blue PPO and it covered my WLS, TT, 2 scar revisions and a breast lift/reduction.  I met all the requirements pre op for the WLS and had about 5 years documentation of dieting failures and successes.  It all depends on the surgeon/doctor you choose and what their office will do for you.  Mine did all the paperwork and I was approved 2 days after my first meeting with him.  Others have to send it paperwork on their own. Check with BCBS and find out what kind of documentation you will need to have ready for that first meeting to avoid delays in approval. Also, any co-morbidities you may have such as :  sleep apnea, diabetes, high blood pressure, and more is also valuable in getting approved.  So make sure your PCP has this prepared for you in a letter of recommendation to submit to your surgeon. The more you have prepared the better your chances are of getting approved faster.  Do your research and know what to expect pre op from the surgeon you choose, what kind of surgery would work best for you and your lifestyle and needs, and what is going to be expected of you post op (taking time off work to heal) and then afterwards for post op follow ups - labs, and vitamins, supplements, protein and so on. I encourage you to educate yourself in this process very thoroughly prior to seeing the WLS you choose.  Be prepared with many questions and go in with the attitude that this is what you want and whatever it will take to have it done, you will do.  Have no doubts, because doubts means you may not be ready yet.  So get your questions answered and this is by far the place to ask some questions.  You'd be surprised at how supportive this board can be. I wish you all the best in your journey and if you have anything you'd like to ask me, please send me a message and I'll try my best to help you, or if I can't, I will let you know who might possibly be able to. Welcome back! Stacey W

Thanks for your feedback, Stacy.  Do you mind saying where you had your surgery.  As far as research goes, I have already researched this option to death.  As I said, I had finally gotten my approval after jumping through all the hoops previously when my insurance was dropped and my job outsourced.  So now Im back at the beginning having to start over with a new insurance provider.  I have, however, lost about 40-50 pounds on my own since I started this journey, so I am hoping that will also weigh (no pun intended) in my favor with the insurance company. 

Even if someone has the same insurance company that you have, the coverage is probably NOT the same.  Each individual employer negotiates with the insurance carrier to develop a coverage plan specific to what they want to offer their employees.  Every single plan is different.  The best way to determine if your insurance covers WLS is to call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask them for the criteria for coverage.  Then once they tell you what the requirements are, ask for that list to be sent to you in writing.  Then use that list as your checklist for everything you need to get done.  Don't rely on anyone else to be your healthcare advocate (not even the insurance clerk at your surgeon's office).   Good luck Pam