waiting

Hey Alexia when you called the number on the back of card to find out what the criteria was did they also say some sort of journal of documentation of failed diet attempts? When i called they told me this and now i'm nervous about getting approved because although i've dieted my whole life they are not documented and can neither be proved, i don't want to go through that whole supervised diet thing that i've heard some insurance companies make you do for 3 months.

I have Blue Cross also, and really didn't have to deal with them at all.  I had called them originally to find out what the criteria was, but the rest was done through the MD's office.  When I went to the original seminar at RW Hosp (I had surgery with Dr. Pohl), in the info packet was a list of all of the tests that needed to be done and some recommended MD's.  That took a long time to get them all done.  Dr. Pohl asked me about my past dieting and documented it, I did not have to send Blue Cross anything.  Don't worry, it will all be fine!  Except for the waiting, it was all easier than I expected.  I'm a worrier too!

Jayne

 

I would say to try and put something together.  My surgeon required a list and dates of this when scheduling the apt- I had an online form to fil out of about 30 pages.  I am sure I guessed at most dates of diets.

I had to fill out the same form on line.  As I went along and guessed, I wrote everything down for myself so I wouldn't get dates confused.  They kind of ask you similar questions at the psych eval, so I thought it would be good to have everythign in one place, but I re-created it all and just guessed.  I had no problems getting approved and had to do nothing.  My surgeons office did everything for me. 

As far as appoinments go, what took the longest to get was the sleep study, and I don't think you can just call there for an appointment without a referall from the surgeon, or a PCP.  I know it seems like forever, but the whole process went much smoother than I had ever imagined.  I met with the NP at my surgeons office in early December.  I had approval from BCBS by the end of January, I couldn't get the sleep study until March so I did all my appointments that week, and had surgery June 3rd.  When you get your appointment list, call for the sleep study first and then the psych eval.  Those took the longest.  Everything else was a breeze.  Also - if you think that you could possibly have sleep apnea, ask them to schedule both studies (you will need two if you have it) and the follow up with the sleep doc for you.  Becuase they suspected that I had it, they scheduled the studies a week apart which probably saved about 3 to 4 weeks or so.  My surgeon would not book a follow up with me until I had my follow up wtih the sleep doc - that process took the longest. 

Thank you all so much for answering my posts, i just want this so badly, and its all I can think about. And without anyone to discuss this with I feel like the people on here are the only ones I can talk to. Thanks Again.

There is not much you can do till you see the surgeon. They will get you the list of tests you need done. I have BCBC HMO NE. All plans are different but BCBS seems to be one of the easiest to work with from my experience and what I've heard. GL!