INSURANCE/PRE-DETERMINATION LETTER

At what stage can you submitt your insurance stuff?  Is there a way to get a pre-determation letter to see if you will qualify before you go thru the entire process.

Not sure, it seems the surgeons office sending out for insurance approval is almost the last thing that happens prior to surgery. Maybe you could contact your insurance company directly and ask them what their procedure is?

I contacted my insurance the day after my information meeting.  I found out that I did not have the bariatric rider on my policy, so they would not cover the surgery.  Well needless to say I was devastated.  However, my hubby and I have our own business, and I had just switched us from Cigna with my job, to Anthem, with the business, and I was able to work with Anthem to change our policy.   In doing this I was able to speak with the representative, and found out that as long as my doctor specified that it was medically necessary, I would be approved. 

So to make a long story short, call your insurance company, and ask them about your policy, if it covers bariatric surgery, and what you need for them to approve you.

Hello all,

I know that if you go through PRH before you meet with Nancy.  Someone at Atlantic Surgical gets an initial approval through your insurance company.  But this does not necessarily mean that you will be covered but it does say that your insurance company covers bariatric surgery but you may not meet the necessary guidelines.  I would call yourself and speak with someone at your insurance company.  I was at first worried because even though I was morbidly obese I did not have any other medical issues (yet).  But BCBS still approved me for the lap band surgery.