Question:
Is there anyway to make the insurance co approve surgery?

I have Blue Cross Blue Options now and in 2 mos I will be switching to Medicare and what supplemental coverage I am unsure of. My BMI is 54, you know my age already and I have some serious health problems: heart attack, high blood pressure, diabetes for years, high LDL, leaking heart valve, asthma, sleep apnea, oxygen and no telling what else. I KNOW that I would be in better health with the surgery but how can I get the insurance co to approve the surgery? I am mentally ready as I have Sorry to go on & on.thought about it for a long time.    — darlenebrum (posted on April 14, 2010)

April 14, 2010
Visit the website www.ObesityLaw.com, and see if they can help you. My insurance (Blue Shield Blue Cross of Illinois), initially denied my surgery, even though I qualified with 5 co-morbidities, and over 100 lbs. overweight. I had Obesity Law Advocates send my Appeal letter, and it was approved right away! I highly recommend contacting Kelly Lindstrom to see if they can help you. Good Luck & I pray you are granted your surgery soon! I am 3 wks. post op and I feel great! I wish the same for you!
   — totally_blessed2

April 14, 2010
MAKE AN INSURANCE COMPANY DO ANYTHING...HUMMM probably not. I believe it is all about how prepared you are when you file. I am 45, had a BMI of 35 a couple of small co-mobidities and a history of being heavy. I got letters from every doctor that ever touched me in the last 8 years, made copies of every day of my 6 month physician supervised diet,and even wrote a letter on my own behalf. My dr. office submitted my my paperwork on 1-2-09 and I got approved on 1-5-09. Also for my own piece of mind I prepared for an appeal. Having a low BMI I had my doubts. When an Insurance co reviews your request they ACTUALLY do read everything...I believe that my plea for better help may have helped. I was also fortunate to have a Dr. office that really cared about my outcome. They worked hard for me. Now I am returning the favor. I speak at their monthly seminars and will be in their first tv commercial. Good luck...don't overthink it (I know this is tough) and the other thing I found very helpful was to start on a weight loss program...I can see your eyes rolling...it made me feel better knowing I was loosing, "just in case I was not approved". BE PROACTIVE! Good luck Kimberly
   — kfgates