Insurance

As many of you have heard a number of insurance carriers are threatening to, or have already stopped paying for gastric bypass surgery. Because Blue Cross Blue Shield has so much of the health insurance market in Alabama we seem to hear more about Blue Cross than other carriers. Blue Cross is now implementing a new medical policy that would make it difficult for many people to be approved for surgery. I have also heard that Blue Cross and Blue Shield in some other states is no longer covering gastric bypass surgery. (Georgia & Florida) Those of you (like me) who have had the surgery, know first hand the tremendous health benefits we have received following gastric bypass surgery, and it concerns me greatly that many people will no longer have the health insurance coverage which will allow them to experience the same health improvements we have experienced. I would be interested in hearing from you regarding your experience with you insurance carrier. Who is your carrier? Does your carrier cover gastric bypass surgery? Does your carrier plan to stop covering gastric bypass surgery? Was it difficult to get your carrier to approve your gastric bypass surgery? We should have a voice in the decisions that these companies are making! I believe it is time that we take a stand in what we believe! Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond to this important matter. Skinny Wishes and May God continue to bless each of you no matter where you are in your journey. Becky PS I apologize in advance if this shows up repeatedly for I am going to be posting this on all boards.

Hello, I have bcbs of tn and it covers rny and lap-band as of 9-1-04...my only problem is that the pre-op testing is not covered if they code it as obesity which they did for me because although they cover the surgery they have an obesity clause that doesn't pay for anything that is coded that way that I was unaware of until recently....hope this helps!!