FEPBLUE approved!

I'm APPROVED!  

First submission with BCBS Federal.   BMI > 35 with hypertension, mild apnea and a host of other comorbids that aren't in the bariatric trinity (Diabetes,hypertension,apnea).

I just want to say.. UP YOURS NALC!!!! (they denied me last year, would not forward my file to Cigna,  and would not look at my clnicals  quote on the phone.. .. "you're just taking blood pressure medicine").  I did get a sleep study after their denial to confirm mild apnea as NALC complained ... "you just have snoring.."

My advice to federal employees seeking this surgery with a BMI < 40.. stay away from FEHB insurance plans that have a middleman between the company and their underwriting insurance.. you will only wind up with two layers of bureaucracy to slog through to get approved.

Yes, yes it is! The wait was making me crazy!

Good Job.

My info was sent up to them (FEPBLUE) today.  How long did you have to wait to hear approval?

8 calendar days.  My surgical coordinator called them daily.  It takes a day for the faxed information to be logged and get to the nurse.  In my case, the nurse then had it for 4 business days for some reason, and then it was referred to physician review.  The physician signed off on it within 2 hours of picking it up the next day.  My case was flagged for physician review because it's the RNY, and my BMI is between 35 and 40 with comorbidities.

I have GEHA now, but I'm thinking about switching during open season. Do you know the specific requirements (for approval) for FepBlue? I see none other than preauthorization/approval is required. Just researching all my options!  = )

Here is the medical policy for BCBS of Oklahoma Federal Employees.

http://medicalpolicy.hcsc.net/medicalpolicy/disclaimer.do?co rpEntCd=OK1#hlink