I might be asking for answers I don't want here but.....

Has anybody ever had problems receintly with insurance approval?  If so, what was wrong?  How did you fix it?  I have BCBS of NC PPO; and have been submitted.  The waiting is AWFUL! I just want to be prepared for anything that comes up, and not have any suprises.  It seems like everyone here lately has not had any problems with approval. Lori

Lori - Remember we need to relax and just wait.                    .

OMG!!!!  I AM APPROVED!!!!! JANELL JUST CALLED!!!!! AHHHHHHHHH

I'm sooooooooooooo happy for you! Is your date still for the 28th?

Lori, I also have the same insurance  through First Citizens Bank.  I had approval in a week.  Though I think they put a rush on it due to my file got delayed in processing until I had called.  But the Nurse said they are one of the Best insurance companies to work with.  I think you will be fine.  I am having my surgery at ECU Pitt Hospital Greenville.

Lori, There's a forum on here for insurance help. Maybe there's some information there you can use. Chances are you'll be approved before you can finish worrying! Best wishes and let us know when you get your date.  Karen

Lori -

Try not to worry ... I know, I'm pot calling the kettle black ... Have talked with anyone at BCBSNC yet? You can call them and ask for a status on your pre-determination (aka approval). They can tell you where it is in the process. They can also tell you how long they have to process the request ... I know that UHC had 14 "business" days to respond and I had a response about 3 or 4 business days early.

Most likely there isn't a problem, it's just chugging through the mill. Once they get a file they have someone check to make sure that you have all of the info that they need to meet the criteria of the specific policy you have. Once it is checked, it moves on to "determination" (or whatever BCBSNC calls it) to see if you meet the medical necessity criteria. Once there, it just depends on how far down you are in the stack.

Keep your head up and try to stay busy. It helps some.

All the best,

Barb

I havent recently... my info was sent to BCBS PPO of NC in Jan of 2006... I was denied 3 times before approval. They took the full 30 days to send me my frist denial. I went into this knowing I would have to appeal... of my 5 years of weight history 1 year I did not meet the BMI because I dropped to 194lbs (due to diet pills)... out of the other years my BMI was between 35-40 3 years and only over 40 one of the years... I have none of the co-morbs that they listed (no sleep apnea, no high blood pressure)... what I did have was a fatty liver, varicose veins, back and joint pain... so for me having the surgery was more preventative (my family has horrible medical history). The waiting is horrible... just keep your chin up and checking on your submission!

Lori, I have BCBS Federal, it took them 4-5 weeks, I did call the insurance person in the office and ask her about it, she said she would refax everthing to them again.  Are you sure they got it? Waiting is so horrible.....I am NOT a patient person.

If you do by chance get denied, consider trying again through the Duke program. Duke is a COE for BCBS of NC. My approval took 6 hours. Seriously. They almost rubberstamp Duke applications because Duke does all the work for them.