BCBS of IL approval letter

Hello all and I have enjoyed reading posts from everyone and following your journey has helped me prepare for my journey.
I received a denial on April 6th. My surgeon spoke with the review board on May 6th and I got a call yesterday and my approval letter today for panni and abdominoplasty. Can anyone who has had insurance cover their  abdominoplasty tell me exactly what this consist of? I had only planned on a panni being covered even if that so when I got the approval letter I am now excited to see what all this involves. Does it include upper ab tightening and belly button repositioning?  I have my pre-op appointment planned for May 18th and surgery planned for May 20th.
If anyone has any suggestions or can tell me how long it was before you felt like moving around I would appreciate it. I work from home and hope not to miss too much work. I can use my laptop and recliner so, I am hoping to not miss too much.
Jenn

I'm not sure what the differene is...but I had been denied feb 17th by Tufts, then my PCP appealed adn I got an approval dated the next day...caleed several times to verify (I am a nursing home social worker so I know how insurances can be) was told..relax...scheduled my surgery for may3rd adn the friday before got a call from the PS office saying that when they verified with TUFTS they ended up dening it.  I was on the phone for 2 hours in tears and they ended up approving it...My PS told me the morning of my sugery as he was marking me that I would not have a belly button...that usually is with the TT...when I came out of enesthesia..the nice nurse told me "your surgeon thought you would want a belly button, so he made you one."  So that was included in mine, but no muscle tightening.  I had same day sugery....the next few days was real tired adn kept up with the percocets...had my 1 week follow-up monday and he took 1 drain out...never even felt it and the other is comming oput this friday...I ahve a very simple velco binder and after reading several posts here, I asked him if I should go out and buy a better one and he said that is not necessary.  I have glue rather than staples and some bruising and still a bit swlooen but not too bad.  I ahd planned on 6 weeks off of work, I will most likely go back after 4 and the only reason is I'm stingy and hoping the weather gets nice!!  I will say that I have a couch with 2 recliners on both ends and have been most comfpratble sleeping in the recliner...maybe because of the "cradle" feel??  I am very short...4'10'' and noticed that without the TT I do have a small "roll" under my boobs still, but only when I sit..when I stand it is amazing!  (The TT was and additional $8,000 - no way!!)  Please feel free to email me with any questions or just fell like talking!!  my regular email is [email protected]!!  Good luck and I hope this can help!  Monica

Thank you for your reply. So, you were approved for a panni not a TT? I guess I will find out more on Tuesday as to if I will have or not have a belly button. Is your belly button healing up well? Do you feel like going out yet as to go to a store or ust out walking? Keep me posted on your progress.
Thanks again
Jenn

I was approved only for a panni  and from my understanding insurances rarely cover the TT.  I was told the reconstruction of the bekky  button is typically only with the TT. but that could be the surgeon..let me know what happens!!

I will keep you posted. I was told from beginning that normally insurance only covers panni so I was truly shocked when I got the call from surgeons office and the insurance letter that both was covered so that is why now I am on a quest for answers.
Thanks,
Jenn

My insurance only covered the panni and I upgraded to a TT.  My cost wasn't nearly as much to upgrade as I've heard from others on the board... I feel I was fortunate.

Ask your surgeon what is included in what the insurance will pay.  He will be the one doing the surgery, so he'll know.  My upgraded abdominplasty included the belly button AND muscle tightening...

Also - make sure you understand what "their" definition of abdominplasty is.  It could be just a panniculectomy... hopefully not!

Congratulations on the approval!

 

 

Thanks, I do go Tuesday and he can do the surgery Thursday so I will know then.
I look again at the letter and it says based on the information submitted, 15830 for abdominal panniculectomy, and 15847 for abdominoplasty meets medical policy criteria. This plan does provide coverage for this service. So, I am hoping it is both and not just panni. But, like you I can get the other at discounted price and will be well worth it.
Thanks again for your reply,
Jenn