Best coverage for Feds wanting VSG

Babygirl,

   So sorry that you have been going through insurance hell along with me.  My surgeon told me that the only federal insurance she has been sucessful with for the VSG is BCBS.  From past postings it seems the approval varies from location to location even though we are all in the same plan - depends on the state that reviews it.  No fair - but nothing about this insurance process seems fair.  I was told by SAMBA there were no exclusions and after all my testing, meeting all their requirements of 6 mos visits etc. - it went to CIGNA as the reviewer and they turned it down as experimental.  I thought that it would be more expedient to just switch insurers than appeal with SAMBA/CIGNA since my surgeons office said I would have to do the appeal on my own.  Now, after deciding just to switch, I do not see my surgeons name on the preferred provider list even though the hospital is a BCBS bariatric center of excellence. Her name comes up if I query their web site under standard option but not under basic. In fact - no bariatric surgeons come up under the basic option query.  Maybe I am doing something wrong. I sent an email to my surgeons office today - I am worried if I sign up for BCBS basic - they won't cover it with her. I am not very familiar with PPOs or with BCBS - an am very nervous about making the wrong choice again.  This time, not only with the insurer alone but with the coverage option I select.   In the meantime, I have been eating out of sheer frustration...

I am in Maryland.  I did call BCBS this afternoon - they did not say there was any diet requirement and you had to have a BMI of 40 or greater, which I do.  Less if you have co-morbidities. I guess I can call them to see about my surgeon.  Trying to decide between basic and standard - wasn't sure that it was covered with my surgeon under basic - may have to pay more for standard.  thnx