Empire BCBS

Hello Everyone, hope everyone is having a Blessed Day today...  I just have a question, my company is switching insurance companies in January and I will then have Empire BCBS.. I wanted to know if anyone had this insurance and if so what was the insurance process like? Requirements and things like that.. Im hoping I can have the surgery before the change over but you never know.. Well thanks all...All input is appreciated... Rahsheeda

I've processed a few cases for Empire BCBS patients and the most difficult thing is to get to speak to a person on the phone.  They have a horrible phone tree system and it takes all day to find out the information you need.  But.... once you get the information you need it has not been that hard.

Thank you and what type of requirements do they have and how fast is their approval process? Thanks

I'm working from memory alone.  Please remember that you can call the number on your card and most of the time visit their website and get this information.  But anyway to answer your question again from memory alone they wanted the ususal stuff, Medical records, Psych Eval, TSH and a documented medically supervised diet history.  When/If you have chosen a program they should have a person to help you with all of this. 

Hi, I had my surgery on 6/14/07.  I have Empire Blue BCBS and it was a VERY easy process for me.  I had to have my dr. contact SHIPS and give them the following info.  5 years of proven weight from my PCP.  My bmi had to be over 35, a letter from my PCP, a dietician visit with a note from her recommending the surgery, a psyc visit and a letter recommending the surgery and that was it.  It took 24 to approve the surgery and they called and checked on my every month for the last year.  I had no problems with them and they were really nice.  I didn't really have to deal with BCBS but with SHIPS who is the approval service for them.   Thanks,  Shannon