Regence BSBC requirement of Center of Excellance

After reading the posts on this board regarding the requirement of Regence BCBS to have the surgery at a Center of Excellence it looks like the only place to go is Legacy Good Samaritian in Portland. Is that the experience of others who work for governments and have this insurance. I don't want to start the paper work for Bend and then find out I have to go to Portland anyway. Appreciate any help you can give me so that I can start out on the right track. I sort of wondered why others from Pendleton and further east would travel to Portland, perhaps this is why. Jeanne

Yes this is my experience as I work for the State of Oregon and live in Idaho. But the only things I had to go to Portland for were the following trips: 1. Seminar 2. Appt with the Nurse Practitioner, Dietician, Psychologist, and Physical Therapist (is done all in one trip) 3. Appt with the surgeon 4. Going two days before surgery for the pre-admissions at the hospital and the pre-op class. So I will have done a total of 4 trips to Portland. You get weighed in at the second appt and if you lose your 5% by the time you have your surgeon appt them you will be good to go. All my appointments were about a month apart. During the down time between the first and second appointment I had the sleep study, EKG and the lab work done at my local PCP and sleep unit. The Obesity Clinic can fax you over what type of blood work needs to be done. Also, if you have any documented weight loss within the last couple of months keep that up so when you get weighed at your other appointments you will have that 5% weight loss already taken care of.

Thank you so very much Michelle. You really helped me to understand how this works and also not to waste time where the insurance will not pay. I have already had a sleep study done and have a cpap so that is probably something I won't have to do. I looked at the Good Samaritian Website and see I can get an appointment for a seminar. I cannot thank you enough for the information. Jeanne

Fossil! Yippee!!! I spent many summers with OMSI's Camp Han**** and almost consider Fossil my second home. I can't completely help answer your questions about where to go but I wanted to say that I had Dr. Jan and the whole office really does try to accommodate your schedule. If you have the lap band, you'll need to go back monthly for fills for the first few months (6 for me), too. In case you don't have a place to stay in the area, I'd like to suggest that you call up the hotels directly and see if they offer any type of medical discount. I've had special hotel rates in the past. I've actually got a hotel suggestion, too. The Lloyd Center Doubletree is on MAX which would allow you to take light rail down to the streetcar and over to the hospital. The rooms have been pleasant when I've been there, you've got the mall, good restaurants and a couple of movie theaters nearby, and you can use MAX to get to so many fun places! And, no, I DON'T work for any of the hotels in the area. Good luck to you. Lori

Lori: So nice that you know Fossil and Camp Han**** So often we hear "Fossil, what is that, is it that town, is it in Oregon!!!". Thank you for all your information. I have a daughter in the Portland area so will have a place to stay. My insurance will not pay for the lapband, so think I have to have the other. I have stayed at the Doubletree several times at the Lloyd Center and you are right, it is pretty nice. I am calling tomorrow to get a reservation for the seminar and get this adventure on the road. Jeanne