Anyone have BCBS of MN?

Hi! I was just curious if anyone has BCBS of MN, and if they had any issues with them? Were they difficult at all? I've already met all the criteria except the 6 month diet. My endo doesn't think it's a problem because he has so much diet documentation over the last 8 years. My concern is that I only saw him every 2 or 3 months instead of every month. Just wondering if it was a problem for anyone.

Thanks for any advice!!
Amy 

I have them and I had no issues and was approved in two weeks for lap band and then two more weeks for RNY.

I didnt however have to do the six month diet. 

Good luck!

Thank You!!

I didnt have any problems with BCBS so far. I had met the critera in the beginning and then had to go see a NUT once a month for 7 months then they sent in the paperwork and I was approved in a day! However, they did tell me that if missed one appt the whole 7 months would have to be redone since they had to be consecutive. So that could only be the one setback, if you have to do the 6 months. Otherwise it was a breeze so far...but I havent had surgery yet so we'll see what happens with BCBS when it comes to the bills :P

I have BCBS and once I jumped through the hoops I was approved in 3 days! I was even able to use documentation from LA Weight Loss as part of the 6 month diet. Good Luck to you :)

I have BCBSMN and actually didn't have any issues. I pretty much followed the policy and met the requirements. The surgeons office were the ones that didn't think I would get approved based on the nfo I had, but I did. I got approved in like 2 days I think it was. I did the 6 month medically supervised diet and I didn't see the doctor every month, I saw her every other month I think and BCBS said that was fine. When I called about that they said as long as you see the Dr. on a regular basis and not once the whole 6 months that would be fine. So surprising didn't have any issues.

Rose

What procedure are you planning on having - LapBand, RNY, Duodenal Switch, VSG, Revision...???

Also, do you know how your policy reads? Employers can actually exclude weight loss nutrition and surgery from their policy, so it is best to know your specific policy as it relates to these things.

I do have BCBS and am on my 2nd appeal for coverage of the Duodenal Switch, but was quickly approved for the RNY & band after 6 consecutive mo. diet was completed (per my policy). I personally am choosing the DS for the long term success and many other reasons, so the appeal process is frustrating, but worth it.

Let us know which procedure you're looking at, though! Easier to answer questions that way.

Welcome to the MN board.

Thanks everyone!!! I am having the RNY. I already have a copy of my policy requirements. BCBS faxed them to me. The girl I talked to told me the 6 month diet did not have to be consecutive as long as I had documentation that I did it for 6 months. I have 9 months of WW documentation, which I saw my doctor ever 3 months during that time. I have another 6 months of WW where I saw my doctor ever 2 or 3 months during that one. I also have documentation from my gym.....everytime I scanned in plus every personal training session (72 of them) over 9 months. I'm type I diabetic, and my endocrinologist is the one who swears I won't need the 6 month thing, but it just makes me nervous. I'm trying to talk him in to letting me just come in once a month to go over my weight, BP, etc. I would rather start doing that now even if I don't end up needing it.

Thanks again!!
Amy