Question:
Does Anyone has any advice on BeechStreet Insurance?

My insurance goes into effect with BeechStreet PPO Insurance on Feb. 1, 2003 and I was wondering if anybody has had problems with getting approval through them? Also if you know what surgeon is in net work? I was hoping to use Dr. Marema but he is not in network.    — Angel S. (posted on January 17, 2003)

January 17, 2003
Not sure what or how they cover, but you may can find a doctor on their website. I do know that their website is not always kept current, so you might also want to call before you make a final decision. www.beechstreet.com good luck!
   — roryleigh

January 17, 2003
Hi there... To check out your insurance coverage on previous patients go to the top menu bar where it says Local Help. Find your state and click on it. Then go to Insurers... Your insurance appeared on the #6 link. It looks great to me on your insurance covering your surgery... hope you have a smooth journey...best wishes. If you can't find the links I mentioned here is the address http://obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/insurers2.phtml?State=FL&Page=6
   — WLS_Deb

January 17, 2003
Hiya. I have BeechStreet through Pacific Life and Annuity in South Carolina. I had absolutely no problems getting approved and had my surgery in Septemeber of last year. (I started at 321 with a BMI of 52.2.) It all depends on your policy- read it carefully. Mine simply stated it would NOT pay for medical or surgical treatment of obesity, but then stated it WOULD pay for surgical treatment of <i>morbid</i> obesity. As long as your policy does not say it will not pay for surgical treatment for morbid obesity, you should be fine. (And as long as you are 100 pounds overweight and/or have a BMI of 40 or more.)...My policy isn't the greatest and I thought all along I would end of paying my 10k out-of-pocket max but was pleasantly surprised that my surgeon, the hospital and most of the other "billers" (cardiologist, etc.) were <i>contracted</i> with BeechStreet which meant I only paid half of that! (In fact, I think the only one that wasn't was the anesthesiologist.) My hospital bill alone was $34,000 and I only had to pay $1900!!! Paying at 70/30, my hospital bill alone would have been $10,200!....If I can help in any way, feel free to email me. Best of luck!!....Karen (lap rny-9/20/02- down 99 pounds)
   — karmiausnic

January 17, 2003
Me again... Call them directly to find out who is in your network. The website is not at all current, no matter what they tell you. I had to have a psych eval and called every doctor listed in a 30 mile radius. Not one of the 10 doctors were practicing in SC anymore (or anywhere) and some were not even head doctors to begin with! I called BeechStreet and was told that is was the physicians responsiblity to update the info. WHAT? So don't rely on the website or even the book for that matter. Call them directly!
   — karmiausnic

January 20, 2003
I had beechstreet PPO/ Bass Administrators. They paid great!!! Approved me in <2 weeks. Paid 90%.. Couldn't have had better insurance.
   — denaa