how long for BCBS approval?

I have Horizon BC/BS of NJ and it took 1 week after completing all the criteria. I got mine today!!!! YES!!!

I have my fingers crossed - My paperwork was submitted on Friday - June 27th. I can't wait to join you guys!!

good luck, keep positive thoughts! Please keep me updated. My surgery is scheduled for August 20th I CAN'T WAIT. Maybe we will be banded around the same time! Keep your head up!

congrats!!! So when is your surgery scheduled for? Mine is for August 20th. Keep me updated!

I have BCBSNJ too but I live in FL. What did they require of you to approve you for the WLS?

Congratulations!!

Gina

Kgranite - I have a date - Aug 1st. I am so exited and nervous all at the same time. It only took BCBS of NC 3 days to approve. I have no pre-op diet so to speak of. I have to have a clear liquid diet on July 31 and nothing after midnight.

Did you get approved? I have the same ins and am going through the 6 month drs period. Did you have to go through this ?

I was approved in 2 business days with bcbs of mn. my surgery is on july 16th!!!!!!! :) I had to do the 6 month diet. I did it with my pcp and the nutritionist at the center. I also got a letter from my pcp and wrote my own life history letter :) I wanted to be prepared since my bmi is 40 with no health problems

It seems like your process went really quick except the 6 month diet. Did you lose any during your diet? If so how much? I am 3 months through my diet and really haven't lost much. I am have been looking at it as though it is just a hoop I must jump through. My bmi is about 50. I know I have to start trying harder. I am at 314 and my PCP said he would like me to be under 300 for my surgery. I know I can do that pretty easy, I just have to focus.

Well my BMI was in the 30s my insurance would not approve me at that.. so I had to gain 15 pounds and then we messured me at 5"1 instead of 5"2. So If I lost 2 pounds I would have been disqualified since I have no health problems. So my 6 month diet was basically the first time in my life I wasnt dieting. I have heard that alot of ins wont approve u for Lap Band if your BMI is over 50 so make sure its like 49 before u submit. Also if I were you I would skip the 6 month diet get a letter from your PCP then you write a letter and I would even just pay the 400.00 for the lawyer to help... but I cant stand the stress of the 6 months it almost killed me... during that 6 months my dad died suddenly.. I found out I had cervical cancer.. I just had a hard 6 months :( But I will have my surgery soon and they are starving me now on this liquid diet :( so I lost 4 pounds in 2 days :) But I am weak and sick feeling. I dont know how I will go with no food until the 16th!!

I just recently heard that ins doesn't like to pay for lap band if BMI is over 50. Does anyone have any first hand experience with that? I have BCBS of Minnisota. I am half way through my 6 month period and my BMI is a liitle over 50. I know I can drop it under but that is just another worry for me. Hope some of you have some info for me. Thanks:confused2:

My BCBS policy did not cover BMI's 50 and over. I dieted like hell before my 1st appt with the surgeon and came in at 49. I suggest you try find your benefits on-line and read the qualifications and requirements. I did not have to do the 6 month diet. I just had to provide the 5 year weight history. Not all BCBS are the same.

That is so GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

All of my paperwork was submitted to BC/BS Alliance Select in Iowa on Thursday 7/17 and I was approved the very next day Friday 7/18.

Hi,
I have BCBS FEP PPO in California. The surgeon's office said I would probably have to do the 6 months supervised diet thing but when I called the insurance company they said "it is not indicated." So now I am wondering, who should I believe, the surgeon's office or the insurance company? I sure hope the ins. company is right!

The surgeon's office also said my out-of-pocket costs would be in the neighborhood of $4500.00. Did anyone else have this high of out of pocket costs? Next month when I have my first consultation I have to fork over 200 bucks also. Is this normal?

Thanks for any and all help!
Lisa