Newbie here with BCBS (Federal Employees Plan)

Hi I am new here, I have Federal Employees BCBS standard plan (my husband works for the USDA-ARS) Are they hard to get approved through?  I have my PCP letter already.  Just wondering if anyone had any ideas so that I could prepare. Thanks Jessica

Hi Jessica, I also have coverage through BCBS FEP standard, and everything I've read on here makes it seem like it is one of the easiest to work with. I would love to chat with you about what you have been told, and we can compare notes, as it sounds like we are about in the same point in seeking surgery.  Good luck! Brooke

I also have BCBS FEP, and was told how easy and fast it was. My dr sent off the paperwork over 2 weeks ago. BSBC contacted dr's office with a case number. But when I called BSBC to check the status, they can find no record! Just warning you to be sure to check back with the insurance to make sure they have record so you don't have to go thru what I'm going thru now. Also, my dr office told me that you MUST have a BMI of 40 or higher in order to qualify thru BCBS FEP. Co-morbs don't matter. vicki

I basically agree with Brooke. I have heard the same thing from my doctors office. I will be effective with fepblue sometime this month (whenever they decide to process my husbands paperwork), but yeah my surgeons office started singing a totally different tune when I told them I was switching over to BCBS fed this month. I was told all I needed was a letter of medical necessity from my PCP and my BMI is well over 40 so no problems there. Maybe we can compare notes and I can keep you updated on how my situation plays out this month after I recieve my card. Good Luck and keep in touch. By the way is there any particular reason why you chose the standard over basic? Don't mean to be nosey but I thought a long time over which one to choose and I felt I would come less out of pocket with the basic plan. Would love to hear your view on it.  Thanks Presley

I am also with BCBS FEP basic HMO.  My paperwork was just sent into ins  yesterday by the surgeons office. According to the Surgeon's office I had to send  the following to them: Surgeons office completed history. PCP ltr with TSH test,  just the copay Nutritionist Eval -which I was told by office is req'd by BCBS, here's the interesting part, they don't cover the visit so this will have to be paid out of pocket.  mine was $112.00, I was told by a customer svc rep that they will cover nutritionist after you have surgery though.  Weird Huh that they don't cover what they require? Psych Eval- The visit was covered with just the $15.00 copay, but the report to the surgeons office cost me $65.00. Make sure you get copies of all reports from each doctor.  The only report I didn't get was the Nutritional eval.  I guess they tell you this incase you decide to change surgeons etc. Also, here's a link for the BCBS bariatric Distinction Centers.  http://www.bcbs.com/innovations/bluedistinction/centers/blue distinctionbariatric_090407_1.pdf So now I am waiting to here from the insurance.   I will let you know when I here anything.   Good Luck!  Stay in touch Kerri

Hi!  I also have BCBS fep standard option.  I was approved about 3 days after BCBS received my information.  The guidelines ask for a 5 year BMI history, a psych evaluation and a nutrional consultation.  I didn't have but 2 of the 5 years, so I sent in dated pictures for the missing years.  I didn't even need a PCP letter.  It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.  Just take a deep breath.  It will be fine.  Good Luck!!

Hi! I too have Blue Cross Fed Emp Plan. My surgeon's office said that the insurance company only asked for a letter of medical necessity, which they provided, along with details of my weight loss attempts over the years. I did already have 5 years of physician's notes with weights listed and my BMI has been between 43 - 45 during that time. Today I had a message on my machine from the surgeon's office asking me to call them when I get a chance. I hope it is good news. The surgeon's office said they won't schedule my other appointments (psych, nutrition, pulmonologist****il they get the approval. So far I have paid $15 out of my own pocket for the surgeon visit. By the way, I also quit smoking in order to prepare for this surgery! I have also heard that the FEP is easy to work with. Hope that will be the case. Good Luck! Rose

I have the Healthnet FEP through my husband (he works for the postal service)   I have been told by the insurance specialist at my surgeon's office that all the FEP plans are great to get approved with.  Healthnet required 6 months of WW, but after that, it was overnight - literally.     I also think that the surgeon's experience with submittals makes a huge difference.   The first surgeon I went to had no clue of what to submit, so I was denied.   Good luck!!

Latest Update:  I got my approval today from BCBS FEP. It was about 5 weeks from the date of my visit to the surgeon. I could have saved two weeks if I would have been clearer on my diet history, as the surgeon's office needed to details to write a Letter of Medical Necessity. I now have 5 appointments prior to scheduling my date:  Nutritionist, Behavior Group Meeting, Psychologist, an Ultrasound, and see a Pulmonologist. I hope it can all get done soon so that surgery won't be delayed. All in all, working with this insurance plan was easy.

Which surgery are you guys getting approved for so easily through BCBS FEP?  I'm about to start the process for lapband surgery and wonder if they have the same requirements for that as for RNY. Thanks.