BCBS of Illinois

I wanted to post this in the event that it may help some of you that have BCBS of Illinois. I have a BCBS plan however it is self-funded by my employer until 1/1/06 the it will become fully funded. I received my letter from my employer this evening. They agree with BCBS and denied my request to have the gastric bypass surgery. Reason being that my 12 month failed diet was completed in 2001-2002 and they require it to be covered the the past 24 months. It was my prayer that I not be approved for this surgery if it was not God's will for me right now. If it is not in His timing, I do not want it. God has answered and I will accept his answer. I know that He heard all of your prayers and this is the right thing for me right now. Fortunately, I am on my seventh month of a current 12 month diet and in January I can submit this to BCBS again.

Beth, I too am a believer in the fact that what I do in life is totally in God's hand, in fact my life's verse is Jer 29: 11-13, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord . . . " What you are going through also happened to me, being denied for the surgery, though mine was a doctor that said no not the insurance. At the time it was heart breaking, but I accepted it because I knew there was a higher power that was running the show of my life. The 12 month supervised diet will make you a stronger person in the end and give you the tools to handle your PO life better. Good luck.

Hey Beth!! Sorry to hear that your appeal was denied, but very glad to hear that you started the physician supervised diet/exercise plan 7 months ago! Hang in there. It seems like it'll take forever, but before you know it you'll be resubmitting! I kept track of the BC/BS website and the criteria changes (there were several over the course of the year or so I was watching) and did what it said. And, I got approved on the first try - though I was very worried that I wouldn't be approved. Good luck and just keep putting one foot in front of the other - it'll get you to where you need to be! San