Question:
I am appealing to Blue Cross California Care HMO-Any suggestions?

My medical group, Professional Care Montebello, has denied me. I will now start the process of appealing to BC California Care-HMO. I had a rep start the appeal. Anything-reference material, state/federal codes, NIH material--that I should definitely include in it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated..    — mary V. (posted on April 28, 2002)

April 28, 2002
Go ahead and save time---contact Walter at obesitylaw.com---I have fought BCBS in Florida for a couple of months and I am getting no where---you will never be able to talk to anyone "in charge" or a "supervisor" you may only speak wih a customer rep---many people have shared their stories with me and they hired Walter---
   — Linda L.

January 16, 2003
I sell Health Insurance and it is important to know that Blue Cross and Blue Shield are not the same in each state. Aetna, Cigna, Health Net, etc, are companies that do business all over. Blue Cross of California and Blue Cross of any other state are NOT the same company. The "Blues" are created by each state. They do however, have agreements to cooperate with each other. Don't paint all of them with the same brush. Having said that, since you are with an HMO, you need to do the following. First, you have to get your primary care physician to refer you to a bariactric surgeon. If your's won't, change primary care physicians. This is easy to do. The medical group you belong to probably makes the call as to whether or not you will be approved. In my case, the Humboldt Del Norte Foundation makes the calls and they approved my surgery within a few days. I suggest you check around and get a primary care physician who will refer you for the surgery. good luck.
   — Bob B.