Help with Insurance

I need some advice. I am very interested in the lap-band procedure, but when I contacted my insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, yes I am in New York) they said that this procedure was under investigation and that they had no information on what the status was. This is the only insurance that I have, and when I contacted United Health Care for an additional plan, they can not do that because I already have an insurance plan. Well I had a consultation set up with a doctor, when I called to cancel because my insurance will not cover it, I asked if they had any ideas on anything that I could do, and they had not recomendations. At this point I hate to say this, but I am on the verge of giving up on having this procedure. I have very limited knowledge on insurances and I do not have a clue on what to do next. There may not be anything I can do. I have a BMI of ~47, and I don't have any diagnosed other health issues, I do suffer from frequent heart burn and high blood pressure. Can anyone help?

Try Calling your surgeon's office and ask them for the code for the procedure then call back the insurance company and give them the code no# see what they say then, Sorry you are having trouble with your insurance company but I know how you feel I am going throu the nonsense for the sake of them not paying. keep on them and who is your surgeon and if his staff is not assisting in the insurance issue you might want to seek another surgeon. Hope you find some comfort in this but don't give up you will have this surgery and it will happen when it is meant to happen. good luck Christine

Thank you for your advice I will try that. I only had a consultation with the doctors office schedualed, I decided to check the insurance first. So I don't "really" have a doctor I guess. That is a good point though, I will look for someone who is willing to help with my insurance problem. Thanks again and good luck to you!

Chastity please don't give up. Where there's a will there's a way. I agree w/ Christine on what she says. Now go back in there and give them Heck!!!!!!! !!!!!!! Please keep us posted on what's going on. Have a wonderful day!!!!!!! Evelyn

Well here is an update. I called the insurance company back to get information and the code, and I was told that surgery os covered if it is demed medically necessary. The person I talked to also went over all the certieria that I would have to meet, but you know what kills me is that when I asked for that information in writing they don't provide it. I can only get it verbally. I can't believe how difficult insurance can be. It isn't like no one has insurance, we all have it. Oh well. Well because of the response from yesturday I cancelled my consultation appoinments, so I need to do that again, but I think I am going to take everyones advice and look around for someone else that might be more willing to help with the insurances. I just wanted to give you all an update. Thank you so much for the information and the support!

Good for you Chastity go and get-em, Take an active part in your process when you do decide on a surgeon and ask for copies of all your paper work and everything they send to the insurance company. We are here for you just a post away. Good luck Christine