Anyone heard the BCBSIL is changing it's policy on weight loss surgery?

I spoke to my insurance rep at my surgeon's office on Firday. She said that they think that BCBS is changing their policy on weight loss surgery at the beginng of the year. She thnks that they are reducing the number of months you have to be on a diet with your doctor. Anyone else heard this?

I also heard this rumor and not from Karen. Heard they were going back to 6 months.

I heard this from Michelle in the insurance department at Surburban Surgical center. She said that they think it is dropping to 6 months. That is good! They need to do something, becuase I know that a lot of empolyers want this for their employees, and do not like waht BCBS makes you do. My employer, Nicor Services, part of Nicor Gas is not happy about the hoops that BCBS makes you jump through. It helps that my boss had the surgery 3 years ago, and is mad that they now have the 12 month diet.

Yes I heard this from Tony. It's funny-i also posted it on the LCMH main support page-and not ONE SINGLE person bothered to respond to me. How lovely. But yes, I heard they are a changing. I just haven't gotten approved yet, probably because my surgeon's office hasn't sent my stuff in yet-which totally sucks because i was done with the program Oct. 28th. Now they want me to see the personal trainer once more, as well as do an end of the 12 month visit with the psych doc who i really don't like too much. oh well, i just keep hoping this is it because i am getting severely depressed now.

ACK! lol i used to work for nicor and had that insurance and hated it...paid way too much for it and then denied everything usually...i certainly hope they change their ways huggs christy

How can we find out if this is for sure?

I don't think we can find out until they release it in January. They will not tell the insurance reps for sure at my surgeon's office. I am sure they will not tell us. I will call tomorrow, and see if I can get a rep to tell me something. I may get luck and get someone that is not too smart. They may slip!

BCBS HMOI and BCBS PPO, weight loss attempts range from 6 to 12 months depending on who is your provider. In Illinois BCBS is really in favor or WLS, but put you through a lot of red tape for approval. I hope and pray they are doing this, because some of us do not have the luxury of waiting yet another year of weight loss attempts. I really do think BCBS is coming to grips with the reality of morbid and severe obesity, and the costs it will send them in the end. They spents many millions of dollars conducting studies on WLS and its benefits. Look up BCBS TEC weight loss studies 2003. Hi Melissa..... Barb S.

so far BCBS IL has said I meet all the criteria but then wanted 12 months of detail - the PCP notes and a summary. So my PCP and I got together, she dictated and I typed. Awaiting their approval.....but planning to go ahead even without them should I again be denied. Since my date is 01-11 maybe the new rule will get me thru; I'd sure like to spend that money on new clothes and stuff.