anthem healthkeepers plus medicaid

Hi guys, I am new to the board. My name is Janeen. I have Medicaid/Anthem Healthkeepers Plus and I wanted to know if anyone else has/had it and they covered or have approved your surgery.  What sort of information/hoops did you have to provide or jump through?  I have my first informational meeting on tuesday, and want to schedule my appt with Dr. Hutcher soon.  Any info is appreciated. Thanks

I had just Medicaid and I was approved pretty fast, I dont remember time line off my head but you could read my profile it may give you some ideas. No be sure to read pass the 4 years of struggeling to get the medicaid. Good luck and keep us posted. I dont think you will have alot of trouble. Just remember to have everything dotted and crossed, and the PCP is doing there job.

I have straight medicaid only and they approved me for my RNY in two days!  I had type 2 diabetes, regurgitating heart valves , and enlarged heart valve, fibromyalgia and degenerative disc disease and they approved me pretty fast.  Medicaid is a firm believer in medical necessity and if you have a medical necessity, most time they approve.  I do not know how it works when you have other insurances that are you primary insurances. Good Luck

thanks guys for your feedback. the anthem is a blue cross administered hmo type plan.  i dont know about extra obesity related diseases, as i havent been for a full checkup in a couple of years. i know diabetes runs in my family, but im 5'5 and about 330lbs. this plan doesnt require referrals so, after i attend the seminar, i will try to get in to the surgeons, although i have a checkup/physical scheduled for fri 22 june, so hopefully ccan get some workups done to have as backup. i hope i am able to go forward soon because im at the end of my rope and so tired of being fat. i lost about 60 lbs in 2005, only to gain it back plus some (as the story seems to go for everyone) . so fingers are crossed

I had Anthem Healthkeepers administered by Blue Cross Bleu Shield and they did not cover any obesity surgery at all. I had to change insurances to my husband's Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal in order to get cover but I think it was my company that had the rider. Everyone has different cir****tances so you need to call your insurance and find out before you go too much further... Good luck!! Jackiee

hey sunsheyen i have anthem healthkeepers plus medicaid and my friend does as well .... all they required for us is to be atleast 100 pounds overweight and have a phyc. evaluation done. so if you want everything to go really fast i would get the phyc. evaluation done before your first consultation things will go alot fast. my friend did hers first and on her first consultation she was approved a couple hours later by her anthem and i did the same thing as well and was approved the same day. good luck........she already had her surgery on the 5th mine is scheduled for the 30th of july... woo hoo

Hi,  I have the exact same insurance and they said mine was covered 100%.  After surgery I did get 1 bill for $800.00 from the radiologist that I am having Anthem take care of.  I went thru Commonwealth Surgeons also, so have listed the requirements they have as well as Anthem's requirements. As far as jumping thru hoops....   Your BMI cannot be too high, I believe they want it under 50.0 or they will not approve you for surgery.  Also you must be at least 100 lbs overweight.  You will have to have a cardio stress test, a psychological evaluation and a pulmonary test prior to surgery. Dr. Hutcher's office has an amazing staff that work together and really make you feel comfortable.  Good luck with your journey!! Donna