MI BCBS Individual Insurance?

Hi all- I had lap rny surgery apr 18, 2008 with Dr. Kemmeter and my bcbsm ppo covered all but my deductibles, co-pay, etc.  (I have lost 120# :)  Anyway, my hubby really needs the surgery and when i called bcbs after the first of the year they told me they no longer cover ANY bariatric procedures, preop, etc of any kind.  We have an individual policy.  Anybody heard any way of getting this covered?  He is 5'10 and weigh 353.  I forgot to do bmi before I came on here, and has multiple comorbidities.  Anyway, any ideas?  Thanks  Jill

You will have to take him off BC of MI.  As of December 08 BC stopped covering wls on all individual policies.  You may want to contact an insurance agent and see if they have any leads for you.

Sorry

Edie

Edie-
Thanks for the info. That's what I thought!
Jill

I had my lap Rny done on Feb9, 2009. I am covered under BCBS of MI personal PPO. They covered it, but I had about a 1600.00 deductible. They approved me, said that because I was over 50BMI, I did not have to show proof of a failed diet either. So that is the first time I have heard that.

Lianne- Woo Hoo! Congrats! How did you get past the initial call when they tell you it is not covered?  I would love to hear your story. Please email me if you get time.
thanks
Jill

Wow Jilly-sue... i didnt know that they changed their policy...

GOD THAT SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

I had mine in March of 08 when they changed the BMI thing to 50, and i was instantly approved (my BMI was 80-somethin) 

i currently dont HAVE insurance, so everthing for me right now is Out-of-Pocket....

i hope you find coverage... its too bad the stupid insurances dont understand ....

Hi-I got kinda crabby and said "you will pay for all the things that will happen to him when he has a heart attack, stroke, etc., etc, but you won't pay for something to prevent the thousands and thousands of dollars that will cost?"  She said I guess so...........I guess if it is supposed to happen, God will provide a way, but man o'man I was shocked.  Like I said, mine was in Apr of 08 and my BMI was over 50, too, so it was no problem.

Thanks

I live in Michigan too and have been having trouble with BCBS. Did you end up getting the surgery?

I have blue cross flexible 1500, I have a surgery date and my surgeons office called to see if I was covered bc the people on the phone were giving me fluff, I am covered. I don't know if it was the way she worded it or what but I would not give up, those people over the phones are different from the ones actually approving the surgery, look into it before you take someone elses word for it.