Question:
has anyone had the lap band approved by anthem bc?

I was informed by my surgeon they have NEVER been able to get the lap band approved by BC. Has anyone had the lap band approved on anthem bc? thank you melinda    — melindainfla (posted on September 28, 2003)

September 28, 2003
You might want to check the database on the Bandsters Insurance Group on Yahoo. It's located here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BandstersInsurance/database
   — TMF

September 29, 2003
My approval letter from BCBS United of WI said that only a VBG or a standard RNY were approved. It also said that a mini gastric bypass or long limb gastric bypass were not approved. I'm not sure they have even heard of a DS or AGB. They tend to be a number of years behind everyone else. I would not count on it being approved.
   — zoedogcbr

September 29, 2003
I was approved only for RNY...I was under the impression that they considered anything else 'too experimental' lol...
   — Kimberley E.

September 30, 2003
I appealed three times and it was NO, NO, NO! each time. I even had the guys at Inamed (the maker of the lapband) and their lawyers fighting with me and still no. I was so mad. I eventually got the RNY (which, by the way, was approved within an hour of getting the fax). I'm happy with my decision now, though, especially since three months later, I'm 53# lighter.
   — lindadougherty