Question:
Is anyone pre-op seeing Dr. Sugerman with BCBS Fed Employees

insurance and waiting to see if you meet the criteria in BCBS's Guidelines before they will schedule your surgery?    — Donna H. (posted on June 25, 2000)

June 25, 2000
I did not used Dr. Sugarman, but I have BCBS Federal. I was surprised at how fast my surgery was approved I saw my WLS for my initial first visit on 18 January 2000. They sent my packet to BCBS within the next 2 weeks. I had my approval back in less than 5 days. Not only that but my hospital bill alone was $24,995.00. They paid all except $200.00 for my private room. My doctor's bill is close to $9,000.00. I know that they are not going to pay for the liver sample and the vagotomy that he performed. Approximately $1900.00. They stated that they would pay at 90% because I was using a plan doctor and hospital. I have not received the EOB on how much they paid him yet. I will tell you that I had sleep apena, hip, knee pain and elevated liver emzymes. My BMI was 48. I had my surgery on 4/4/2000 I started at 251 the day of surgery and 10 weeks later I weight 196. I'm very pleased with BCBS. I heard on this sight where they recently made major changes in approving WLS with BCBS Federal. Sounds like you don't need a pre-certification. Not really sure how that is working. Best of Luck and Happy Weight Loss
   — ann A.