Question:
Has BCBS of Ill HMO approved anyone this year with out co morbidites?

LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE WHO HAS BCBS OF IL HMO....WHO WAS APPROVED THIS YEAR....WHO DON'T HAVE ANY MAJOR CO MORBIDITIES ...WERE U APPROVED? IF SO HOW LONG OF THE WAIT TILL YOU HEARD YOU WERE APPROVED? DID SUBMITTING A PERSONAL LETTER HELP YOU GET APPROVED IN YOUR OWN OPINION DO U THINK IT DID?    — DEIRDRE D. (posted on June 14, 2001)

June 18, 2001
Hi.....I was approved by HMO IL and the process was quite "painless". the requirements, as explained to me indicated that one needs to be 100lbs overweight which puts an individual into "medical danger". After a consult with a surgeon,he contacted my primary care dr. with his recommendation. My primary care dr. then submitted the request and I was approved within a week. Hope this helps!
   — cheryl W.

January 31, 2005
Good luck with BC/BS of Illinois!! They recently denied my appeal for RNY based on lack of documentation for the 12 months of supervised weight loss and that I can't PROVE I've been this obese for long enough! My personal letter to them seemed to mean nothing. I am over 100 lbs overweight, have severe sleep apnea and require a CPAP. I have asthma, high cholesterol, terrible arthritis/degenerative disk disease, migraines....and still they denied me. It took nearly 2 months for the 1st denial and about a month for the denial of my appeal.
   — Philene S.

January 31, 2005
I started asking this company last August, but was stopped with the 12 month diet history thing. So I am 6 months over with it, and I can't wait until it is over. The rest was basic stuff like a referral and BMI... simple. I don't have any comorbities, and never wrote a letter. They just told me what I needed, and said I can't be denied or approved until they get what they want. I called the company and asked the girl exactly what I needed. I then asked her if I could have it in writing, that way they can't say later on "Well we need this and this also." Good luck on this, I am sure we will be fine.
   — Babyphantisy