Approximate amounts and some other questions....

boy you guys are gonna get sick of me!  LOL   I was just wondering if anyone who has or had BCBS of IL for their surgery could let me know what they had to pay appromimately out of pocket...like does the ins pay 80% or what....I am just looking for approximates.  My hubby is worried about the money aspect of it. We are not by any means well off and we are sometimes strapped for money, but he knows how bad I want this and need this for my life and health. Anywho, also I was wondering if it is a good idea to start on the vitamins and some foods that I'll be needing after surgery now already.  Like those Optisource vitamins from Walgreens?  And upping my protein now....will this help me out in the long run? Thanks so much my friends and now I really must get my butt into bed!!

Your out of pocket expenses are going to depend on your plan.  There are many different ones out there and could all be BCBS, As for me, I had Medicare and BCBS of IL.  My BCBS plan has a $2000 calander year out of pocket maximum. With this I pay the 20% that Medicare doesn't cover until reach that amount. So my OOP expenses for my surgery was $2,000 and I knew that going in. About the vitamins, I was told to start taking them 10 days prior to surgery.

Hi Monica. I have BCBS of Illinois. At the time I had my WLS, I landed  up being a self-pay because they denied my surgery. Originally, BC had a 6 month supervised diet then went to one year. I decided that I didn't want to wait any longer, so I did the self pay option. BCBS paid for part of the testing I went through depending upon how the doctors billed. As far as the vitamins and protein goes, I think you can wait a while unless you have nutritional deficiencies now. As Ronna, I started my Optisource pre-op too.  Be careful with taking in too much protein, as protein can be hard on the kidneys - make sure to drink lots of water so you don't get kidney stones. Just my opinion though. Best wishes, Lucy

You really need to ask your doctor about when to start on vitimins and diet. We all have our own doctors tp tell us what and when. As far as bcbs goes, every plan is different. I have Anthem bcbs, out of Ohio, but everything has to go through bcbs of Illinois first. Normally, our plan requires that you pay your deductible, then, it pays 90% over $3000 per year. However, I had major surgery in April, so if i can get approval, it will pay 100% until 12/31.  Lisa

Thank you all for your input.  I understand that every plan is different.  I know that I have a $500 deductible and then they usually pay either 80 or 90%.  I have time to figure it out though.  Also thanks for the advise on the vitamins and such too.  Everyone is always so helpful. I love it here!

Hi Monica!  I had BCBS PPO of IL, BUT ... as Ronna mentions, each plan is different, depending on what your employer wants to have covered.  I was initially denied, but upon appeal from my surgeon, I was approved.  Granted, I had my surgery 4 years (and 1 month) ago, but my out of pocket expenses for surgery was $500.  Why not give the insurance company a call?  Ask them what you need to do, what the anticipated costs are once you're approved ... would it be any different if you went to a BCBS deemed "center of excellence"?  Doesn't hurt to ask. As for vitamins ... start now.  Even if you end up not having surgery ... no reason you shouldn't do vitamins!  Also, if you can, start to exercise.  The better shape you're in prior to surgery, the easier surgery will be for your surgeon, and hopefully you won't be under for as long.  Also, if you start something now (even if its curls with a can of peas), hopefully it will get your momentum going. Best to you ... and as far as the money is concerned, you're investing in YOU ... probably the best commodity out there! Let us know how its going. Karyn

Thank you for your very helpful words Karyn.  I am going to a BCBS Center of Excellence already.  The Kane Center in Arlington Heights.  Trust me, it's not me concerned about money for this, I look at it as investing in my future.  It's my hubby who is skinny and has never had a weight problem in his life.  He is ANAL about money and that's really all he's worried about.  Nice huh?  oh well I do take One A Day for Women vitamins right now, but I know that I won't be able to use those after surgery...they are huge!  lol Thanks again Karyn and have a wonderul rest of the day