BCBSMA + UMASS

Hello, Good to see a little more life on the MA board! Things seem to be flying along for me now and I will have completed the UMASS program by the end of the month. Can any of you share your experiences with insurance approval with BCBSMA? Also those who have gone thru the program at UMASS how long from surgical consult to approval and then surgery? They tend to avoid answering that question at the weight center but I would like a rough idea. Thanks DC

Dave: I am presurgery but have heard that once you meet with the surgeon it then depends on your insurance carrier how long it takes. It seems as though once the surgeon gives the okay that people get their surgery date within few weeks. Good luck with all. JB

David...There was a girl going to UMASS who posted last week that she was approved and got a date in July. I, too, hate it when they give the "it depends" answer. Good luck! Carrie

Hi David, As you know, BCBS has many products and it would depend on which one your employer has chosen. That said, BCBS does cover WLS - HMO Blue approved my lap band in 2 days. Easiest way to find out - call them!

Hello, Thanks for the info. I went to the insurance area and found bcbs and could only find one person who did not get approved on the 1st try! That sounds encouraging. DC

I have HMO blue and am encouraged by what I hear. I hope when the time comes you get your approval swiftly!

Thanks! I see your profile is right to the point DC

I have heard that most of the MA based insurers are pretty good with approval times. It takes a week or so for the surgeon's office to get your paperwork out to the insurance company. I have Harvard Pilgrim, and I was approved the day they got my paperwork. My consult with the surgeon was on 2/3, and I think I got approved on 2/11, which was a Friday, though I didn't find out till the following Monday, which was 2/14. By the time I found out the Weight Center had already called me with a date. My surgery was 3/16. It's hard for the Weight Center to give you a good idea of the date since there are so many variables insurance approval times. When I got approved, they were going through some kind of reshuffle between University and Memorial campuses as well, so it was a bit confusing for a while. When I saw Dr. Kelly on 2/3, he told me to expect early April or, at the my luckiest, the end of March. I hope it goes quickly for you, and I hope this helps somewhat! Mary Ellen

Hey David, I had my surgical consult March 29th, paperwork was sent to insurance (MassHealth) on the 4th of April and by April 18th I was approved. My surgery date is schedulled for July 18th with Dr.Czerniach. Niesha Johnson 285/275/165 Goal

Hi David, I have the same insurance as you do. I finished and had my consult with Dr.Perugini in August of 04 was approved by insurance 10 days later and offered a date for oct 2-I couldn't do it though because of school so I had to wait until January when I was on break. I hope yours goes as well and email me with any questions. B