Question:
Needing help with BCBS of Florida now that surgery is excluded..

Im 21yrs and my BMI is 53.9 BCBS of Florida has excluded weight loss surgeries as of 01/01/05. Is there any out there that has dealt with them after this date, and what was the outcome. Or does anyone have any suggestions on how I could ge approved. THANKS!!!    — Juanita S. (posted on May 10, 2005)

May 10, 2005
Well you are not going to like what I have to say....I am in the same boat right now and BCBS is NOT going to budge. I have looked into purchasing my own plan that does not exclude the surgery (Humana -doesn't exclude treatment of MO/Oxford/United Health Care-there policy excludes weight loss programs but not the surgery) however they wont insure me because I am too heavy! The girl from Humana even laughed @ me. Since I can't afford the cost of surgery on my own I had no idea what I was going to do...Yesterday my husband came home with the news that his company is changing ins plans and he is getting UHC, I am trying not to get excited. Keep trying and don't give up, there has to be a way around this. I know there are finance companies out there that finance surgeries of this nature, I am sure that is not much help. If you ever need advice or if I can help you let me know!
   — Mandy L.

May 10, 2005
Juanita...I am wondering if this is Chritian Brothers? If it is, please e-mail me. I had surgery a month ago and Chritian Brothers covered me $15,000 and I will tell you how I got them to do it. Please don't give up...I didn't and even though we are now in debt, it is better than nothing. Carol
   — Carol M.

May 12, 2005
I heard as of Jan. 1, 2005 blue cross blue shield would no longer cover WLS. Why I have no idea. See when your renewal comes into effect. My insurance renewal is in September and I was still covered until then.
   — Kevin R.

June 6, 2005
BCBS has a policy: IT MUST BE MEDICALLY NESCESCARY. Don't just take the first answer. Go to the web www.bcbs.com Go under provider info Then go to policy. It will show you that as of 4/28/05 it was recently revised. They do cover gastric bypass if you are severe obese and you have a condition e.g. diabetes, hypertension,slepapnea. It must be lifethreatning. I am in the process of getting approved now.
   — Big_Sassy