PEBB BS/BS Pre-Authorization?

I just came in from the mailbox. There was an envelope from BC/BS there and I thought, "Oh no! They are writing to tell me to forget it!" Actually, it is a letter saying I am Pre-Approved for my Psych Evaluation and Interview, my NP and Dietician Appointments. Did any of you PEBB folks get one of these? I have to notify them "if I require further treatment," which I imagine means I have to ask again before I have surgery. I am so relieved it wasn't a NO right off the bat! So I guess if I pass all the next appointments, I'm good to go! Linda

I got the same envelope last Thursday and thought the same thing!! Yes, we now have permission to go through the process, but will have to be approved for the surgery. We are one step closer!! WOO HOO!!! Bil

Oh good. I'm glad it was the same for you Bil. Do you have your psych eval set up? I guess they request authorization for the surgery after that? Things are moving!! YEAH! Linda

I was told that Terra would call me to set that up. I'm guessing she'll call this week. Bil

And so the journey begins Congratulations!! Darla

CONGRATS to you both Jackie

Linda I had surgery in July - Dr Jan at Legacy Good Sam/Obesity Inst- I have PEBB-BC/BS both my insurance and Good Sam staff were awesome. The entire authorization process was extremely easy and fast. As you know for our insurance we are required to lose 5% of body weight, this was my biggest obstacle but I eventually was able to lose those 15 pounds. Once you have completed all Obesity Inst and surgical appointments and lost your 5% - I think it is a done deal for BC/BS- I rec'd my PA within 3 days of request- they say it can take 2 weeks but it didn't for me. I am sure it will be the same for you. Good Luck!

Linda, are you saying it took three days after the insurance received the request from the surgeon's office? I saw Dr. Patterson on thursday. I called them today to ask how long it took for their office to send the request to Regence. They said about a week or two then it takes Regence 4-6 weeks to respond. That seems like a long time to me!! especially since Dr. Patterson is booked out six weeks or more... Diane

Diane- I see you addressed your last response to Linda- but it appears it was directed to me. I had not lost my required 5% at my surgical consult, so it took me a month or so to get that off but once I met all requirments Dr Jan's office sent to PA request to BC-BS they had the authorization within a few days. Both BC/BS and Dr Jan's staff told me it could be weeks but it was very fast, perhaps I was just lucky but I think others have had the same experience with BC/BS- I think Legacy only sends the PA if the patient meets criteria so it seems to be pretty smooth approval process. I know others have had to wait for their surgical consult to be transcribed and that seems to take some time so maybe there is some other hold up. Good Luck to you! Sherry

From the PEBB BC/BS it has been between 2days to 2 weeks so far from my friends and I that have gone through the authorization process for surgery.