Anybody know when BC/BS PPO changed policy about WLS?

I have BCBS CB PPO, Barix handled everything, they gave me a "fill in the blanks" letter that BCBS CB PPO requires, to take to my PCP. He had his secretary retype it with the needed additions and faxed it to Barix. Less than 2 months after my Barix consult I was having surgery.

Plus, register at the BCBS website, enter in the info on your card, and it'll tell you exactly what your policy covers gbs was on mine. You can even see what doctors/hospitals are in network. Tons of info there.

thanks Cynthia.....I will go to the website....that's good to know.

I had surgery last April. I have BC/BS Community Blue PPO I did not need a pre-approval......... but i wanted to make sure so I had one sent to me.

I have BCBS PPO and I had the lapband procedure done just this February and at that time I did not need any pre-approval. Dr. Woods office did everything for me. So it must be pretty recent unless they are only now asking for the pre-approval for GBP and not LapBand but that wouldn't make any sense to me. WLS is WLS just a different route. Stephanie

I had my surgery back in 2001 and I still needed a pre-approval.

I know I'm really late on replying to this post.... just catching up on a bunch of old messages... sorry. I also have BCBS PPO --- My understanding is that even through BCBS doesn't require pre-approval for the surgery, there are still criteria that must be met in order for your surgeon to be paid for his services. If that criteria is not met and the surgery goes forward anyway, YOU could be liable for that full payment. Therefore, many surgeons treat BCBS just as any other insurance company that needs pre approval. Just to ensure that they get paid. Hope that sheds some light... Pam