Insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

[Bethany]

I have bcbs of Illinois. Does anyone on here have that insurance carrier. Also, when you say you have to have two comorbidities, is that only if they cannot be controlled with medication? I have high cholesterol and high blood pressure and low thyroid...but keep them under control with meds. Would that count me out since the meds are working to keep the numbers low? Thanks to anyone who can help shed some light on this for me. I also had the nissen fundo done 3 years ago, so that's another hurdle i need to cross to get this surgery. I live just North of Dallas, Tx. Would love recommendations for a good surgeon. Thanks

[Brenda2012]

Nope I had all that and I washable to have my surgery 3 months after but I have bcbs of Texas. Good luck to you

[teresaloves2trvl]

I have BCBS of Massachusetts. It does not matter if your comorbidities are controlled or not-just that you have them. Don't know about yours but my BCBS did not require a period of weight management. Mine will pay 50% for the surgery including the surgeon's fee up to a $10k max. Also I think I had to have a certain minimum BMI but don't recall what it is. I have high blood pressure and a BMI over 40.

[luvle1gh]

Hello I have BCBS of Illinois and my journey to be sleeved started at the beginning of Sept. and I was sleeved Oct. 22, everything went very quickly for me and yes I had High Blood Pressure and Diabetes two of the three comorbidities, and you will also qualify....good luck and see you on the sleeved side...

[Bethany]

Thanks to those who have already responded. I can tell this will be a great forum to answer all my questions. Luvle1gh, how long did it take you to get approved after you made that first step to go see a Doctor about getting sleeved. What did your insurance require you to do before surgery? So many questions???...I'm 5'2" and 200 lbs...give or take a few. I think my BMI is in range to have the surgery...but i've seen so many different articles on that, so not really sure about the BMI part of it. Thanks again to all of you for any info you can share

[jnaed]

Google BMI calculator and you put your height and weight in and it gives you a number and that is your BMI. Good luck!

[Mermaidmb]

I had BCBS of GA and they wouldn't cover my surgery, thank god I lost my job and married my bf who works for USPS and has Humana. They cover it with only 200.00 a day for the hospital and I had to pay another 200.00 for an endoscopy. I had 150.00 for psychiatric clearance and another 190.00 for the nutritionist. If I had spent time looking around for a psychiatrist on my plan I could have avoided the fee but I wanted to get everything done ASAP while I wasn't working.

[Aggie92shell]

I am not sure how far away it is but my surgeon was Dr Manuel Castro at New Beginning at he is great. He is located in Duncanville and does surgery at Baylor and Methodist. He has a wonderful office staff that can help with insurance. Just wanted you to know. Hope it helps.

[Bethany]

I just pulled up the fine print with my insurance carrier and read the section for obesity surgery. It says that you must have a BMI of at least 35 with two conditions. I'm feeling better now about falling within the range required. Could not find anything about reversing the Fundo though. I just need to make that first step and find a good surgeon in my area then we will know

[Bethany]

I'm leaning toward going to see Dr. Sheetal Patel. She's a women and i think i would feel very comfortable with her. Would love to hear from anyone who used her to do the surgery
I tried to post a link..but i need to make 15 comments before i will be allowed too.

[Jingles]

I have BCBS of Illinois and my hospital said it is the BEST insurance for this kind of surgery - no 6 month waiting period even though it took me 6 months to clear my schedule for a couple of weeks to get it done. After BCBS paid the doctor, hospital, etc. I only had to pay $40 - unbelievable!!!! I was not on any meds prior to surgery but was obese, needed to lost 85 pounds - have lost 65 of them in 4 1/2 months and have another 20 to go.

[Bethany]

I have BCBS of Illinois and my hospital said it is the BEST insurance for this kind of surgery - no 6 month waiting period even though it took me 6 months to clear my schedule for a couple of weeks to get it done. After BCBS paid the doctor, hospital, etc. I only had to pay $40 - unbelievable!!!! I was not on any meds prior to surgery but was obese, needed to lost 85 pounds - have lost 65 of them in 4 1/2 months and have another 20 to go.

Wow!..that is just awesome to hear this! Congrats on your weight loss! I know you must feel like a million bucks!!!

[JennCH]

BCBS of Alabama approved me yesterday. I had to document 7 visits over 6 months with my PCP with clinic notes that pretty much said to work on weight loss and increasing exercise. it was actually good because she diagnosed my hypothyroidism and has gotten my BP under control. That and a nutritionist visit and my old PCP fro texas notes and I am good

My total costs will be $400 deductible for surgeon, $150 hospital co-pay; $35 co-pay for psyche eval, $250 co-pays to my PCP, and $50 Nutrition consult as well as an initial $200 consult visit.

Well worth it. Looking forward to Jan 14!

[Da Babz]

I have BCBS PPO of Illinois for this surgery since HMO has so many loopholes and takes 18 mos. I was told that it would take me 45-60 days depending on Dr. appts. and letters to insurance and their acceptance. I weigh 301 and my bmi is 49. I have high cholesterol and am starting to have problems with sleep apneia. My initial appt is 01/02/2013 and I already scheduled my Dr. appts with the other 4 specialists. I hope this can be done by end of Feb. or beginning of March. Am I missing anything????

[JenniferRdz]

That's awesome!! I currently have BCBS of Illinois and am thinking of getting the surgery. I guess I need to get in contact with a WLS to see what steps I need to take to see if I qualify for the surgery and if my insurance will cover it. -_-