Question:
FEDERAL BCBS PPO - Like to hear from post-ops who've dealt with this

insurance company. Told by doctor (Gorospe in Tulsa) they don't precertify and I am required to pay half of his fees up front. My BMI is 41 and I don't have any co-morbidities other than pain in back/knees/legs/ankles. Worried they won't pay. My surgery is 12/6/02 for Open RNY.    — Debra L. H. (posted on November 16, 2002)

November 16, 2002
I, too, have fed bcbs and I haven't had any problems with them paying for my surg. I was approved and had wls within 5 weeks of my consult appointment. Good Luck.
   — Tammy .

November 16, 2002
I have Federal BC/BS and they approved me in 2 weeks. I called them numerous times to see if they had approved me but they always told me (even a supervisor!) that they did not pre-approve covered surgeries, which gastric bypass is. Well, they didn't know what they were talking about because my surgeons office got an approval code.
   — YvonneBryant

November 16, 2002
They paid for mine just fine even though they did not precertify. I was really worried too! They were very fast at paying, too.
   — Linda S.

November 16, 2002
I have Federal BC/BC, I was also told they don't pre-approve. I was worried too. My BMI was about 48 and for the last few months, I tried to gain weight thinking it might help the approval. The only time I was weighed was at my dr. appointments. They never weighed me in the hosp. So now I figured I didn't have to gain the extra weight. They did approve mine. But it is really scary waiting.
   — Poco ..