Question:
IF YOU HAVE BCBS OF FLORIDA,HOW LONG WAS IT BEFORE YOU WERE APPROVED?

   — latreshar (posted on April 15, 2008)

April 15, 2008
I thaught that BCBS no longer covered Gastris bypass or any WLS. I hope I am wrong.
   — Tawnda C.

April 15, 2008
My son has BCBS of California and he has a six month diet program to go thru..Call them and find out.
   — dyates2948

April 15, 2008
I had BCBS of Florida at the time of my LapBand on 08/03/06 and at that time NO WLS was covered under any circumstance. An absolute plan exclusion. It was my understanding it was still the same today. I paid $18,500 out of pocket for my surgery,,, it sounds like a lot of money, but- I had to look at it as a drop in the bucket to save my life,,, and it did. I am down 135# and still going. No longer a diabetic or hypertensive. Good luck Dawn
   — DawnVic

April 15, 2008
Hi...I just had surgery on the 3rd...(RNY) & I have bc/bs of Fla....it paid for my surgery and only took 3 weeks after I submitted all the things they asked of me...but in all honesty....i asked one of the reps I talked to at customer service how long it actually took and he said 1 week...that maybe mine was so long due to the Dr. office not getting all the info in on time....but hey...3 weeks still isn't bad. Blue Cross wants the following...6 month documentation of Dr.assisted weight loss program (supervised)...psych evaluation...any documented problems from obesity....and proof that U attended some type of weightloss seminar....also be aware that there must be proof somewhere (probably from your primary care physician) that the reason for your obesity isn't a medical issue...such as thyroid..or something else...so make SURE your Doc does a thyroid panel on you!! they also want past history of obesity going back 5 years so gather all info..(especially from Doctors).. like Gym memberships..diet pills you have taken..diet plans you have tried(Jenny Craig..Nutri-System etc.)...ANY problems you had due to obesity,(even during pregnancies) list...list...list..it will help you out believe me!! They DID NOT ask me for a sleep apnea test (Blue Cross that is)..so don't worry about that. just make sure You have all of that info I mentioned before to submit to your surgeon...or whomever you choose to perform the procedure...My surgeon's office took care of everything for me after I gave them all of my documentation....they dealt with Blue cross and submitted the approval letter....(but I bugged Blue Cross wanting to know...am I approved yet?? am I approved yet?? I know they got sick of me!!!) lol!!! I hope this helps u!!!!
   — NoLeChiC

April 15, 2008
I have BCBS of MA and only took a week to get approved. I didn't have to diet before my surgery besides the pre-op diet. But not all BCBS are the same.
   — Karen M.

April 16, 2008
i have bcbs fl- NOT covered- excluded. i was self pay.
   — PEARLJAM73