Approved, but NOT for Surgery!!

I called BCBS to get an approval letter sent to my Surgeons office, so they would schedule me a real surgery date. It seems they have been waiting for the letter to do it, but never mentioned this to me. Evidently, my date was March 4, not April 4...... and has come and gone. While asking BCBS why the Dr. never an surgery approval letter, BCBS told me it was because I am not approved for surgery. I told the woman, "if I am not approved for surgery, then why did BCBS send me an approval letter, and give me my surgery date?" She told me I was approved, just NOT for surgery . Me--> "OH, REALLY? Approval for what?" She beat around the bush and didn't want to answer, so I told her, "My surgeons paperwork got me approved for what?" Her--> "You are approved alright, but not for surgery! You have been approved to have 'NON-LIFE THREATENING HYPERTENSION!'" Me--> "I don't need BCBS approval for that!" Her --> "We already approved you, why wouldn't you need it?" Me--> "Well, thanks dear, but I don't need approval because I ALREADY HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE!" Please don't flame me, because this is not a joke.... it happened today!

I can believe anything that comes from those insurance companies. They are such a joke. They love to play their mind games and think we are so stupid. PLEASE!! Why would they approve you for high blood pressure, how silly. What does the letter actaully say? If is states your approved for WLS then I would stick it to them and fight them. COntact Gary and ask him what he thinks. Donna 338/256/? -82

They are playing games alright. They told us yesterday that today, I would be approved for the 3 days that the Dr. says is needed as minimun for the surgery, and today, they say.... nope, just one! Anything to jerk you around.

They must look for the most ignorant people to work customer service. Gary says in his paperwork about five times to not believe anything they tell you on the phone. Boy, This is a good example.

Yes, I would say ignorant just about covers it! LOL

Gary is right. I could call my insurance company five times in one day and get a different answer on my appeal. It was a joke. All I can tell everyone is keep fighting. Donna 338/256/? -82

I would call back and demand to speak with a manager. Don't get off the phone until this happens. If the CSR tells you that they are all in a meeting, go to their website and find phone numbers for the executives, and start calling them. This is pure BS.

It seems every insurance co. Has the same kind of people working for them. They just make up whatever they think sounds good and pray that you don't have half a brain to know what they are doing. I have been told in one day that I was approved, denied and that the paper work had not even been reviewed all by different customer service reps. And it even gets better when you speak to the higher ups. Being approved for high blood pressure really takes the cake though. I am sorry you are going through that. Amy