BCBS gave short precertification time

I was just approved for surgery Friday by BCBS. I got the letter today and am very concerned about it. They give an expected admission date of 7/7 and a date of 7/31 for the permission to be invalid. I can't even get an appointment to see the surgeon until 7/11! Has anyone run into this? What happens if UNC can't do the surgery in time? My husband says to call the nurse on Monday, which I will do, but I'm close to a panic NOW. Can anyone help? Thanks!!!

The dates don't really matter just that you are approved.

Don't Panic...I do the insurance for our office and we give dummy dates. Most offices don't know when surgery will be but to get you approved we have to provide a date. So that is how come the dates are so strange. I would think your office does the same thing and you have nothing to be worried about... Good Luck on your upcoming surgery...and to your new life!

Kim, do you work for BCBS of NC? If so, can you tell me what their policy is for coverage of lapbands? I looked it up on the web. That says that rny is covered, but not the band. I have called them 3 times. I got two different people. They said that its "covered if its a medical necessity" and the last lady said "it will go for review of medical policy" What the hell does that mean??? I have bcbsnc blue options hsa. Please let me know what you know. My docs office submitted my packet yesterday, and Im anxious to know what the outcome will be. Also, is there anything that I could be getting together in case they deny me? Steve

Please let me know if you get approved. From our experience everyone we have submitted has been denied. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Your surgeons office will call BCBS and set the specific date of your surgery with them. They will then send you another approval letter with the surgeon name, hospital and date of your surgery