Regence Blue Cross/Blue Shield

I know that this insurance company covers bariatric surgery for state and government employees, but I am not a state or government employee. It is a regular insurance plan through my husband's work.

I am a State Employee withe Regence BC/BS and I am also awaiting to have surgery. I have an appointment with Dr. Hong on June 7 and hope to have my surgery the last week of June. I have been to the informational seminar and had all my testing done and they are taking the weight from before if you have had a weight loss and by the time that I get to see Dr. Hong I should be in good shape. Wish me luck on my appointment with Dr. Hong Wednesday. Sonya

Hi Wendy! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I can't believe you got a surgery date ... June 30th will be here before you know it! Once you get your surgery date, everything seems to go REALLY quickly! Which surgeon did you choose? You should come to the Salem support group meeting ... the 3rd Wednesday of each month in the basement of the Salem Hospital. We'd love to have you there! Pre-ops attend too so you are more than welcome to come! Deanna

Hi Wendy: Saw your post and was wondering how easy it was dealing with Regence Blue Corss/Blue Shield. Work for a County and that is our insurance also. I am just starting to do the paper work and our nearest area where they perform this surgery is Bend. Thanks for any information.

I saw you were asking about BCBS. I know that the insurance told me that they only will use a center of excellence and of course the only approved one I was told about was in Portland. I live in Idaho but work for the state of Oregon and everything I have to do with the weight loss surgery I have to travel to Portland which is 8 hours away. If anyone knows of anything different or if BCBS has changed this respond back.

Thanks for that information. When I talked to the center in Bend they knew that Regence BCBS was really strict on the type of surgery they would approve but did not mention the Center of Excellence. We approximately 3-31/2 hours from Portland and 21/2 from Bend. What doctor and center did you use in Portland. Thank youf or the information.

The doctors that I know of are Dr. Jan Jay (the one I am using), Dr. Hong and Dr. Patterson. They are all at Legacy Good Samaritan. You have to go through the Obesity Clinic for the tests and then get referred to the surgeon. I am just waiting on approval from the insurance for my surgery.

Michelle when I called our insurance they said they will only pay for the gastric bypass and not lapband. Did you have the same experience? When you went through the Good Samaritan Clinic, did they tell you how long you will be off work? Thanks for anything you can share. You have been a lot of help.

Yes that cis true they will only cover the gastric bypass (which is what I am having). With my type of work (I work at a prison) the doctor said that by 4 weeks I should be very ready to go back to work. Everyone is different and he said that he has had people go back to work after one week off.

I sort of guessed you worked at the prison in Ontario when you said you worked for State of Oregon and lived in Idaho. I am a Judge so don't have a very physical job and was concerned about how much time I will have to take off. Basically all my work is office. Am just filling out the papers now but I am trying to do as much research as I can to see what I am getting into. Again thank you, you have been so much help.