BCBS-NJ

Does anyone have BCBS-NJ?

if so how long did you have to wait for your approval/denial?

Thursday it will be 8 weeks since BCBS recieved all of my paperwork.  I called today to check on the status and after about 30 min on hold while waiting for the rep to check the status I still don't know where it stands.  A month ago I was told by BCBS-NJ that due to it already being at the 30 day mark they were going to escalate it into another system and that I should be hearing from the surgeons office within 7-10 business days.  That was a month ago.

Am I on the right track... If so it seems like I am just spinning my wheels.  Anyone else go through this

Hey There! Sorry about all the waiting! Yikes! I had my surgeons office call provider inquiry! They can make them move a little faster. Hope that helps a little. Sorry!

I have BCBS NJ and today was the 35th business days since my info was submitted.  I called to check on it and my file still says "in review". 

The insurance person with my surgeons office told me from the beginning that BCBS NJ is notorious for taking a long time for approval.  (30-45 business days)

I'm trying to be patient but it's frustrating when you hear of other people getting approval after a week.  I completed my supervised diet in January and I'm waiting to move forward. 

Hang in there.  Good luck!

It may be a good sign that you have not heard from them. I was denied by BC/Bs of Nj. I appealed and was denied. They denied me because I did not have high blood pressure, and the other illnesses related to obesity. I went through all of the testing. The nutrition classes etc. It took a year to complete everything and only 2 weeks for them to send the denial letter. I only have knee problems , and acid reflux .I did meet the weight requirement for the surgery but I guess that did not matter. Although now my doc is checking me for high blood pressure. It may be because I wanted the band that IO was turned down. I will try again for the RNY. I wish you luck

Wow 

Thanks for the responses... 

I think that the two most frustrating thngs for me is like what you guys said in the fact that you hear from others that they are notified and approved within days or in some cased within hours.  And then here I am at 8 weeks and BCBS-NJ can't even tell me where I am in the process. 

The other being not knowing what is going on... You read on these boards and on the Insurance board what is required but then things change.   I started my 6 month diet in February and have lost about 20 lbs,  Will these 20 lbs even count?

sorry guys thanks for letting me vent.

I wish the both of you good luck and keep us up to date

I have BCBS Horizon HMO and I was approved in 8 days. Call your surgeon's insurance specialist to find out what the hold up is. They sort of have a stronger arm when questioning the insurance companies.

BCBS of New Jersey typically takes longer than some of the other BCBS companies--  I was told that from the beginning of the process from my doctor's office.   They are somewhat hard to deal with because they take for.ev.er.  and don't seem to know anything when you call for updates. 

Day 40 (that's 40 business days) of the long wait for me tomorrow. 

Thank You

I am finding that out now.   I am entering my 9th week since sending in the paperwork.   I called Friday and the CSR could not tell me where I was in the process.  She took my phone # in case we were seperated on the phone she placed me on hold and about 15 min later I was disconected from the line.. No return phone call as promised.  I have never had any problems with this insurance company and could not survive without it but I tell you what I am very frustrated at this point.  

I am ready for the denial and to get to work on any items that they may require to obtain their approval.  If that is what is going to happen.. I just want to get to the next step of the process wether it be with a approval or denial

Thanks for your help

Bob 

Good luck, Bob.

I talked to the insurance person in my dr's office today and she said she hates dealing with BCBS of NJ because they won't tell you anything until the end of 8 weeks.  She's going to call for me but I haven't heard back from her yet.

I'm calling on Friday to check my status again if I don't hear anything. Someone mentioned you can call BCBS and request a case manager that will check on it for you.

 

I called BCBS of NJ today.  Since it's officially been "in process" for 8 weeks,  they actually checked on my status instead of giving me the standard  "you have to wait 45 business days".  She told me she would email the review committee to hurry the process along.  We'll see if it REALLY works. . .

Bob --- Have you heard anything yet?