Waiting on BCBS???? Update!

Hello OH Friends,

I haven't been on in a while.  Been lurking sometimes.  Anyway, I saw Dr. Mann last Wednesday so I'm now playing the waiting game.  Keep your fingers crossed, toes and anything else you have that you can cross (?) that I will hear soon.  I was hoping to have the surgery this month, but that is not going to happen.  It's probably going to be the end of January if the insurance OKs it.  I'm tired of playing the waiting game.  It gets harder the closer everything starts coming together.

Deborah

Hi Deborah,   I hope you can get your surgery date before the end of the year.  My husband works in HR for a company and we have BCBSNC.  He received a letter  from BCBS the first of the month and they are saying they may not pay for GBS next year.  I don't know if it just the type of policy that we have or if its for all of BCBS.  Better check into it...  I know the waiting game is hard, but believe me it well worth it.  BCBS is pretty fast on approval.  Got my approval in about 3 days..   Good Luck  Connie

Hey Connie,

That's the first I've heard of that, unless like you said it is for the company he works for.  I am self employeed and pay for my own insurance.  I meet the criteria.  My PA at Nash WL said that some companies are not including WLS in their insurance policies so they can get a cheaper rate.  Where did you have your surgery?  3 days is quick!!

Deborah

My heart goes out to you!! To me, the point you're at right NOW was the very worst part of this entire process. I didn't mind the 6 months of supervised PCP visits. Having all the pre-op testing done was a piece of cake. But waiting for some nameless, faceless, paper sorter in a cubicle out in Middle America to actually approve or deny me seemed to take forever. To add insult to injury it got sent to the wrong department to begin with so that added extra time. Start calling your customer service number with sweet questions like - "is there anything else you need from me or my physician?" "Just curious if there is a particular person that I should speak with?" "This whole process is new to me and I really don't know what to expect - could you please double check that you've received all of my paperwork?"  you get the point - whatever you ask or regardless of who answers be syruppy sweet. Like my Grandma always said - kill 'em with kindness.

Good Luck to ya.
- Iris

I heard back from BCBSNC in less than 24 hours.  Guess they thought I really needed it!!!

Hi Deborah,   I had my surgery at Duke, on Dec.2.     Connie

Deborah,  I'll get this right this time..  My surgery was performed at Durham Regional Hospital.  My doctors are with Duke Weight Loss Center.   Connie

Hey Deborah.  Don't just sit there and wait for them to call.  Call them, most of us did.  I called mine everyday and heard the yes word less than a week. I knew before the Dr.'s office. So call, get them to work for you.  Tell them you really want the surgery this month. I'm going to try and come by to see you tomorrow. I have a dental appt.  Are you going to be in?

Hi Deborah,

Once it's been submitted to your insurance, you can call the insurance company and find out if they have a case manager that can help you understand their process and timeline and where you are relative to that process and timeline. I think I saw that you have BCBS and if so, they are notoriously good about responding quickly and usually positively.

I also noticed that someone mentioned WLS not being covered after the first of the year. This is most likely a specific policy exclusion, not a blanket policy exclusion. If you contact your insurer, they will be able to tell you if it's an issue that would concern you.

Wishing you all the best,

Hey Deborah!!

I wish you the best of luck getting everything approved! I know how hard it is to sit and wait... You are in the best hands with Dr. Mann!!! he rocks!!!! Best of luck for a speedy approval!!

Darcie