Blue Cross/Blue Shield Federal - Help?

I have BC/BS federal too.  I had my surgery 1/12/09.  My BMI was 40 with no co-morbidities.  I had the RNY.  The insurance approval process was very easy.  I didn't have to show evidence of a supervised diet and I didn't have to have the psych eval.  I was also scheduled for the lap-band, but I changed my mind last minute and BC/BS had no problem changing my approval from lap-band to RNY.  It was a VERY easy process! 

Another Federal employee with BC/BS here. I was amazed at how quickly the process took. I think I had a BMI of 43. I also had everything else that came along with being over weight. I didn't have to do the 6 month diet. I did have to do the psych eval but I think that is routine with my DR. It took about 1 1/2 weeks to get approval for the rny.

Good luck

Kim

My reply has nothing to do with insurance, but with your 'very high cholesterol'. Have you considered a malabsorptive surgery rather than the Band? With the RNY, at one year post-op you'd only be absorbing 62% of the fat you eat, rather than the 92% that 'normies' do. And the DS does even better---DSers only absorb 19% of dietary fat.

It's done wonders for me---rather than the 'very high cholesterol' I had pre-op, at six years post-DS my total cholesterol is 112. And I eat bacon for breakfast every morning!!!

 High cholesterol isn't always just diet based ... so I'd think twice about picking a surgery just based on that.  That said, I have BC/BS FEP and approval was fast and easy.  

Boy are right about the cholesterol issue!  My cholesterol untreated is 336.  I eat low fat...always have, but it doesn't matter.  2 of my sisters are 2 years out with their VSG, and both are still on cholesterol meds.  We are so lucky to be "genetically predisposed." 
They are, however, off the diabetes meds, asthma meds and CPAP.  3 out of 4 isn't bad...it's worth the journey.  They both look WONDERFUL!   I'm looking forward to my RNY on Jan 25th.

As a side note, my sisters had the same surgeon.  He doesn't perform the DS, but did give them detailed information on that procedure as well as RNY, lapband and VSG.  He wanted them to make an informed decision they could live with.  They both chose the VSG.

My PCP and my surgeon both described all 4 procedures with me for the same reason.  I chose RNY.  It's the choice I feel I can live with.

I wish all surgeons were this foreright..

I have BCBS federal basic and I was approved with the first letter! All I had to do was see the Nutritionist and a Psychologist and it was home free! I chose basic because of the wonderful people's advice on this board and it worked like a charm. I am having RNY because I want permanent wl. With my insurance, you have to pick someone in the network and pay a certain amount out of pocket, but my costs have been minimal and the rewards have been so wonderful. Ask many questions on this board and please, follow their advice! Good luck and God bless! See you in the losers circle! 

Hi tracycoder

My name is Channell. BCBS Fed is about the only insurance that cover the sleeve procedure that I had done 03/12/2009 I have loss 104lbs so far. I love it. Good luck to you.

Tonight I'm having my sleep study done to confirm my sleep apnea.  It was originally scheduled for this saturday but I figured why should I blow a weekend sleep-in day!  I'm NOT looking forward to it!  I have this picture in my mind of me trying to sleep in a room with a big two-way glass window and people staring at me all night. Ugh!  I hear it's not really that bad, though, so we shall see!

I'm Blue Cross/Blue Shield Federal as well, with a BMI of 43 and comorbidities.  All I had to do was fax a copy of my insurance card to the doctors office, and they turned it in on a Friday and I had approval on the following Tuesday. After the approval I faxed them the rest of my paperwork (letter from doctor, application packet) and scheduled the surgeon visit and the psychology eval. Within two or three weeks of approval I had seen the surgeon, had my psychology evaluation and was scheduled for surgery. No pre-op diet required.

I had all four options (band, rny, DS, sleeve) and I chose sleeve. I went to a Center of Excellence. Wonderful surgeon, wonderful hospital, wonderful follow up, wonderful experience.

The financial advisor at the doctors office said BC/BS federal is the easiest insurance to work with of all of them.

Oh, you didn't ask, but all I had to pay was a $300 co-pay to the surgeon and a $200 co-pay to the hospital. Everything else was covered.

LouLou7

Did you have to pay that after your surgery was complete or did you have to pay at the time of your visit?