In what form or fashion did you receive your approval?

Did you receive your approval by phone, letter, in person ?

Who was your insurance provider ?

What state are you living in?

Who was the first person you told?

Did you celebrate ?

Approval by letter two days after doc submitted.

Wellmark BCBS of Iowa

Told my co-worker first

If you consider sitting with the letter in my hand, heart beating uncontrollably and shaking like a leaf celebrating, then I guess I did celebrate.

Great Question!

I too have been wondering the same things.

Also another question......When did your doctor submit everything to your insurance company? Was it after you complete the required 6 months or at the beginning of your 6th month? I am just wondering about the waiting time, if it is more after the 6 months or not.

I got a call from my surgeon's office.  They received it first.

It's very interesting to me the different requirements. My VDH and I both visited the surgeon and the "pre-approval" was submitted that day. We had to see a cardiologist and have blood work. DH saw a Nut and PSYCH.  Two weeks of the submittal, we were approved.

We don't have a 6 month pre diet requirement though I believe it's because we have many many years of failed attempts with other "lifestyle changes".  The husband of a coworker who was sleeved a year ago, had to do the 6 month diet. The coworker told me her husband had never tried another w/l program.

We both called our insurance company and were verbally told about approval and we called the surgeon to advise. We later received written notices from the insurance company advising of the approval.

We haven't shared any information with anyone - our families don't even know.

BCBS TN (Medicare Advantage)

Tennessee

My husband! Then all the Lightweights.

If yelling thru the house, then yes, I did.

I was told over the phone but got a letter following up.

Regular Medicare doesn't require pre-approval and only approves after the surgery and the the surgery bill is submitted. Medicare Advantage plans require pre-approval.

Liz

I called my insurance company and found out I was approved

Aetna

Maine

My husband

I was excited the hoop jumping was finally over but I didnt go out and celebrate no

Did you receive your approval by phone, letter, in person ? Phone call from my case manager, then 4 days later I got the letter in the mail.

Who was your insurance provider ? Tricare Prime North (HealthNet Federal Services)

What state are you living in? CT, but my surgeon is in RI

Who was the first person you told? My husband was right there while I was on the phone, so he was told first!

Did you celebrate ? Cried! lol It had been a long road and I was so happy! Now just waiting to go under the knife (Jan 29 2013)

Did you receive your approval by phone, letter, in person ?  I called my insurance company and they said they just sent my letter out, but i was approved  ( in about 2 days !!) .. ( today  I got approved )

Who was your insurance provider ? Anthem BCBS

What state are you living in?  Ohio

Who was the first person you told? My Best friend and my husband

Did you celebrate ?  I cried, I was so happy  and then made phone calls to get things in order (work, sitter, etc)

By phone, followed up by a letter.

United Health.

NY

A coworker because I was at work, then I called DH.

I was stunned because it was the day after the surgeon's office submitted the paperwork and the clerk told me it would be about three-four weeks