Centers of Excellence for BCBSNC

I'm in the very beginnings and would like to know if anyone out there has had surgery at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount?  I've look on the BCBS website and Southern Surgery Associates are listed but not Nash, only PCMH.  SSA also does the surgery at Nash.  I read today that if the hospital is listed wih the Centers of Excellence, BCBS gives you less of a hassel to qualify for this surgery.  :)  Thanks

Deborah

Welcome to OH Deborah! We are glad to have you here.  I live in Greenville and had surgery through Southern Surgical (Dr. MacDonald) last year. My husband had it with Dr. Mann this year. Since we live in Greenville we opted to have it done at PCMH; however I know the surgeons do go to Nash to do it. I'm not sure if PCMH is a "Center of Excellence", but I know Southern Surgical is.  I have BCBS of NC (I work at ECU) and there was no problem getting either me or my husband approved for the surgery.   Good luck as you work through this process and feel free to ask questions-- that is what we are here for! :)  I

A little tidbit: I'm from Roanoke Rapids originally and was actually born at Nash General! :)

For some reason I was thinking that the hospital had to be the center of excellence.  Well, thats great.  Maybe things will go well.  I'm excited about it and I just do not want to loose my nerve.  It is a huge decision.  My BMI is 40 with 2 co-morbidities.  I've been a diabetic for 3 years along with high blood pressure. 

Thanks for the info.

Deborah

 

 

ECU Physicians and Southern Surgical are considered participating providers on BCBSNC.  Pitt County Memorial Hospital is a "Center of Excellence" but Nash is not.  I'm not sure where that will land you come approval time.  Here's the link...

www.bcbsnc.com/apps/coe/public/bariatric.action

Thanks for the information. I thought that is how it worked.  It seems from what I've read on this site that you may be aproved faster if you go to a center of excellence.  Thanks for your help.

Deborah

Is Nash closer to you?  If not, I would seriously consider Pitt.  It's really a very good hospital, particularly for this area of medicine.

I live in Rocky Mount so Nash is closer.  I have a friend that went to Pitt.  She lives in Rocky Mount also.  The reason she chose Pitt was simply for more privacy and if something were to happen, she felt she would be in a more advanced hospital. 

Deb

I just had my RNY done at Pitt Co. by Dr MacDonald.  Had it done on 8-21-08.  The approval process was just a phone call.  The care I received at Pitt Co. was wonderful.  Everyone was so nice and attentive.
Good Luck

Rachel

Hey Rachel,

So how are you doing since you had your surgery?  How quickly have you recouperated?  Hope you are doing well!

Deborah

Deborah

I have been doing great.  I am having problems with the protein, but "this too shall pass".  I go tomorrow to get my staples out and I hope they tell me I can start with soft foods.  I get out of breath real easy, but I feel like real food will help me with that.  As of today , I have lost 19 lbs.  I am excited.  I also work 1/2 days last week.  I am stopping when I feel I need to because I don't want to overdo it.

Rachel