Insurance Companies
I have recently decided to have weight loss surgery. I am currently with Kaiser Permanente as my health provider. I am switching to CareFirst Blue Choice (federal employee) at the first of the year because Kaiser requires members to jump through all types of hurdles to be approved. Does anyone have any experience with CareFirst Blue Choice and getting an approval for WLS? If so, please share your experience and what you had to do to be approved as well as the timeline.
I had my RNY done by Kaiser, and I couldn't be happier. Yes, Kaiser has a robust program that is designed to help patients be more successful post-surgery. I found the program to be incredibly helpful, and I am so glad that I had to opportunity to go through it. By the time I had surgery, I felt strong and prepared, and had a very easy time of it. There's a reason they make you jump though "hoops" and it is so you will be successful.
Height: 5'7". HW: 299, Program starting weight: 290, SW: 238, CW 138 - 12 pounds under goal!
I've yet to hear of an insurance company that doesn't require someone to jump through hoops before surgery. It took me 3 years to be eligible for surgery through my insurance, but I couldn't be more thankful for that. The time was crucial to getting my head in the game, and the 80 lbs I lost pre-op made my surgery go more smoothly and made my recovery a breeze.
My husband is a federal employee as well. We use the APWU (American Postal Worker's Union) Cigna plan. They required 3 months of supervised weight loss and then they covered my surgery. No hassle.
PS: My husband is not a postal employee. Any federal employee can use the insurance after they pay the union dues.
Age: 40 | Height: 5'3" | HW: 245 | Program Start: 231 | SW: 208.5 | CW: 148.2 | GW: 130
M1: 15 M2: 15 M3: 6.7 M4: 10 M5: 6.6 M6: 3.3
^ Total weight lost
