Question:
I am new! I have BC BS il PPO - I see questionw

From 2003-2004 on how easy to get approved. This is hard to understand cause I tried and tried then quit. Here it is 2009 and I hope things has changed. Does BC BS give a you a run around or just a fast NO! Thank you and wish me luck    — Franeep123 (posted on April 11, 2009)

April 11, 2009
well they gave me a quick no, but i have the info they need now so i will fax it to them on Monday and we will see how it goes. I went to the forums and then went to Weight Loss Related. Then if you click on Insurance, Cash Pay and Financing there is alot of info on BCBS of IL. Most of what I saw there was a quick no for alot of people. Good luck
   — slr0509

April 11, 2009
I was turned down at first saying I had not done what I was suppose to on my 6mt diet but my nut wrote a letter and re-submitted it and it was approved in a week. Good luck
   — shackett0426

April 11, 2009
I have BCBSIL also. I was denied first. But in the beginning when I initially called to find out if they recieved all my paperwork and where it was, I found out my employer has a set of criteria that overrides BCBSIL, and I had them fax me a copy of it. So when I looked at the denial, they had evaluated me per BCBS criteria and not my employers. They printed a copy out and attached it to my paperwork and re-submitted it and it was approved within about an hour. All of this only took 6 days. I would definitely find out if your employer has a set of criteria for the surgery as mine did and it was much easier to get approved. BCBSIL has some pretty strict guide lines....Good Luck to you....Hugs....Donna
   — gonnabethinfinally

April 12, 2009
I have BCBS of PA, so I don't have a lot of information about the IL requirements. My one suggestion though would be to go to a facility that Blue Cross has designated as a "Blue Distinction Center of Bariatric Surgery." In my research I found that those facilities have great, well-respected programs, and they can be a lot of help in moving through the insurance process. Also, although I can't prove it, I think the Blue Cross certification may carry some more credibility for your insurance submittal. FYI: My facility took care of all of the communications and submittal to my insurance, and I was approved the first time they submitted. Good luck!
   — ads2e

April 12, 2009
I have BCBS and was approved almost in just a couple of days. I am a federal employee and it says BCBS Federal on my card so I don't know if that makes it better coverage or not. Good luck
   — Kathleen F.

April 12, 2009
I thought I type all info on insurance it is BC BS of IL PPO Thanks for everyone who has tried to help me.....
   — Franeep123

April 12, 2009
I have BCBS of Il PPO also and they told me that they had to have a 5 year weight history and 6 months of physician supervised diet. However, I didn't have the 5 year weight history cause I hadn't been to the doctor in over 5 years but I was still approved within a week. I just made sure I went to a doctor that was covered under my plan.
   — jen5023

April 13, 2009
To the last post. What year was that you got approval..... So all you had to do for BC BS of IL PPO ins- is a 6 month diet? That was nice! I hope I am so lucky. I have been in bed for the last 3 1/2 months out of 5. I have not left the house for a total of 9 or 10 times out of those 5 months. I guess I have hit rock bottom. Thanks for everyone answers
   — Franeep123