Question:
I have BCBS ppo of MIchigan and I need to know

if anyone has been successful in getting information over the phone regarding your insurance approval. I get the run around evrytime I call them. I have tried asking for the same representative but that did not work either. Who exactly do you ask for to get information and how did you ask ? Maybe I am saying the wrong things to these people. I have been waiting for an answer since Oct.1 this time around. They lost all my paperwork the first time and it all had to be re-sent. Any advice would be greaty appreciated !    — Kay R. (posted on November 5, 1999)

November 4, 1999
I have BCBS PPO in Texas. I sent my claim in on Aug 19th. I called 3 weeks later and they said they did not have it. The doctor resent it. On September 3rd it went to the board. I called every week asking the status. They would only say that it went to the board and had no idea when it would be back. I quit calling on October 4th. It called back on October 27th. They said that it had been approved on October 5th. I called the provider and they said that they had not received anything. I call BCBS back asking to fax the letter of approval again to the provider and to me. Next day, nothing. I called again. They said they would fax it again. I was sick the next day, so I did not call back until Nov 1st. They said that they had faxed it but could not find a confirmation, but would fax again. Called next day, they said that the letter had just been typed up, was on the desk and they would fax it today. Called next day, they said that they could not find the letter on the system and that they would have to type it up. I told them that I was tired of the run around. They finally found the letter and it was faxed to the both of us. The point is, even if they tell you something, it is likely to be mis-information and that it is no better here in Texas than in Michigan regarding BCBC.
   — texasweb

November 4, 1999
Kay - I know how hard it is to be patient when it seems that everyone else is getting approval overnight-but hang in there. I have bc/bs of IL ppo and worked with them from June 1 to August 6 (when I got my first denial). August 24 I contacted the IL dept of Ins. - October 25 I got approval. I think that some insurance companies use a stalling procedure to see if you will back down from wanting the surgery Please document everything and keep copies of your correspondence - they may come in handy if you end up contacting the Dept of Ins. in your state. Good Luck and hang in there!
   — Mary P.

June 24, 2000
I have been trying to get BCBS of MI to approve the laparscopic mini gastric bypass with Dr. Rutledge in N. Carolina since last November. After waiting 7 weeks for approval I called the office in Detroit. They claim they never received the info my Dr. sent them and we too had to re-send it. Please email me at: [email protected] and I will tell you what several of us from MI with BCBS are trying to do to get approval. If anyone else can help or has suggestions please email me too. Bonnie
   — Bonnie S.

June 24, 2000
Hi Kay! I also have BC/BS PPO of MI. I sent (BTC sent) my paper work almost 4 weeks ago. I still do not have an answer yet. I was told that it can take up to 60 days for approval. I am going to start calling every single week, that way they know I will not go away. If I still don't have an answer in 90 days, I'm going to advise BC/BS that they WILL hear from my lawyer. I suggest you do the same. Good luck to the both of us :)........
   — Jason B.

June 25, 2000
I have BCBS PPO of Michigan. I saw the surgeon (Marek Lutrzykowski,MD, Bloomfield Hills) in early April, had all my pre-op testing done and had Duodenal Switch Surgery May 18, 2000. The Insurance company paid all the bills within 30 days. Fondly,
   — merri B.