Question:
MI BlueCross/Blue shield / Master Medical will not preapprove surgery for anyone. Sug

As of 2000, Blue Cross/Blue Shield/with Master Medical will NOT preapprove RNY for anyone. My surgeon, Dr. Marymor, said Ypsilanti's Bariatric Treatment Center's insurance review dept know how to do their job well, but the "what ifs" would be financial ruin for me. Facing the possibility of responsibility for a $30-50,000 medical bill is a hard reality check. My husband is very supportive, but this is a lot to ask, perhaps too much. Even the psychologist who did my psych eval said there is no way he would sign for his wife to have this surgery without solid preapproval from the insurance company. Do I sound scared off? You bet I am!Has anyone else in MI had to deal with this same issue?    — Judith A. (posted on June 1, 2001)

June 1, 2001
Don't worry, they will pay for it after you have it. They had just switched the policy and as long as the doctor isn'tworried, you shouldn't be either. My doctor even went so far with one patient who was turned down after the surgery (she had Selectcare), as to go to the Michigan Insurance Board to testify as to why the HMO should pay. She won, they paid. I have BCBS PPO in MI and they paid everything without a hitch. By the way, I had the Duodenal Switch with Marek Lutrzykowski, MD, in Bloomfield Hills. His assistant, Julie, is a whiz with getting the documentation needed to clear the way for payment. Good Luck!
   — merri B.