Question:
Has anyone gotten approval from BCBS Federal Employee Program?

I am just beginning my research into surgery for myself. Just curious about what I am up against with my insurance co.    — AllyRose (posted on September 4, 2001)

September 4, 2001
if this is the Empire Plan, then yes. my husband works for the NYS Dept of Transportation and my insurance card is a white card with blue writing."gevernment employee". They approved within 7 days of the first letter.
   — barbpatter

September 4, 2001
We have BCBS - Federal Program - my husband is retired from the Post office. We have the PPO plan - they covered my operation with no problem. Got the approval within weeks. They were great.
   — mary ann M.

September 4, 2001
BCBS Federal Employee program covered my surgery without any problems. It even covered a good portion of the psychological evaluation cost. I have the PPO, if that makes a difference. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Good luck!
   — Shellie G.

September 4, 2001
I haven't heard of problems with it before.. I hear most cover it when it comes to federal employees. I work for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oregon and I understand we cover it for federal employees here so don't see that it would be any different. Good luck.
   — Dawn R.

September 4, 2001
I have BCBS Federal Employee Plan (FEP) PPO..... I was Pre-Certified within 48 hours of my initial visit with my Surgeon....had surgery 4 weeks later, and they paid most of the cost - what they'd pay for any surgery -
   — Cathy J.

September 4, 2001
i got my approved pre-certification in less than 48 hours of the drs office submission.
   — sheryl titone

September 6, 2001
Good Luck Debbie! We have Fed B/CB/S Service Benefit Plan. One thing to know is to find out exactly what their requirements are. Here in Ohio the ins co will only give the info to the MD. They confuse you about pre cert. They do precert for the hospital stay and they do this by getting 2 -5 years of your history from you, so get your copies now. I have a surgery date of 10/8 and am waiting for precert because I didn't know all the facts. You have to have a psychology eval, they don't tell you that up front. MAKE them fax the qualifications to your MD. Ask for a supervisor if you have to. Good Luck Linda
   — Linda B.

October 29, 2001
I've been on the phone with BCBS Federal PPO today. They no longer give a pre-determination approval. That is, if you do not meet their requirement for WLS, they will not pay. In the policy, it only states that you must be 100 lbs overweight but when I spoke on the phone to Customer Service they said they looked into your diet history too. How can that be a requirement when it's not listed as one I do not know. But lets face it, once we've gotten to this point, we've been on almost every diet under the sun. BCBS Fed PPO will pre-certify your hospital stay. But the Doctor has to have all his/her ducks in a row for them to approve and pay their gastric bypass fee AFTER the surgery. Nice, huh? Makes it soooooooo much easier to find a doctor cause we need one willing to take a gamble. I'll update you if I am successful. I am 113 lbs overweight with a BMI of 43. Best of Luck to you! :)
   — Carmen K.