Empire BCBS

My company will be switching insurance companies next year and I wanted to know if anyone had this insurance and what was the process like for approval? ALL help is appreciated... Thank you... Rahsheeda

I sent you a PM.

Hi there.  I had Empire BCBS out of NY and they were very easy going.  Took longer to gather all the paperwork but once it was submitted only took a couple of weeks for approval.  If you have any specific questions feel free to message me and I will help you all that I can.  Good Luck.

Hi Keena, I just joined yesterday and the first question was what Rasheeda had mentioned. I too have Empire,  did you have to go under evaluation for 6 months. I have a BMI of 44 and was Gestatinoal Diabetic while pregnant with my daughter, do you think I still have to wait 6 months and go through all these? Also cna you give me information for what papers you submitted that helped expedite? I really appreciate any inforamtion. Ellie

http://www.empireblue.com/provider/noapplication/f2/s5/t9/pw _ad080419.pdf Empire POlicy for Summer 2006 (Page 26) Rasheeda, I am right there with you. I have Empire BCBS in Maryland and am looking to see if they cover. I have searched different information sites and Empire's own site, the above link that I am enclosing you says that it covers under the conditions mentioned. My concern is that I don't want to wait 6 months and then maybe prolong it another few months to set date and all. I f you have an y information regarding that, I would appreciate letting me know, also please let me know if you got any more information regarding coverage itself. I will contact  them this week and will post you when I get more inforamtion Ellie

Hi All, I can only speak of my experience.  I have empire PPO out of NY and know that all plans are different.  However, to answer the diet question I did not have to submit a 6 month diet, just a letter from my PCP saying it was medically necessary in addition to the pre-requirements my surgeons wanted.  Hope this helps the best thing is to call your insurance and ask them.  That way they can speak directly from your plan.  I wish everyone the best. Kenna

Kenna, Thnak you for  all the info, I called yesterday an the insurance company only had nurses online availabel, most probably becuase it was Sunday, the lady was very generally helpful but I will contact them today and see what the say directly and what they require. Thank you

I probably won't be able to call them until Octoer, my company wont be rolling out what the new plans are and open enrollment won't take place until then unfortunately... Hopefully I can just have the surgery under my current insurance before the change takes place... They are also offering Aetna and I think I am leaning more towards them because the only hospital in my city is discontinuing their partnership with BCBS,  so I guess Aetna may be the way I have to go if I cant get a date before Jan 1, 2008... Thanks for all replies and definately look to see how it works for you..