Congratulations on getting approved & much success on your revision 

I was approved for Lapband in 2008 when I had BCBS PPO plan. Fast forward to 2014....in January I changed insurance to AvMed and due to not having success with the band I asked my doctor to submit a request for a band removal and revision surgery for the gastric sleeve. That was in February and honestly I didn't have any hopes of them approving it. In March I was advised that they approved both surgeries! The only thing I had to do was go to another nutritionist visit and of course get bloodwork. Surgery is scheduled for April 24th.

I also know someone who AvMed approved their band removal and revision to sleeve after they were a self pay for the band. I'm not a representative of AvMed nor have I had them long enough to make a decision on how I like them as a whole. I do know that I'm happy with the approval for revision. 

I brought in my ins requirements and listed them for the doctor. Made sure that I got the letter clearing and recommending me for wls. I went to a dietician once a month and we went over diet and excersize log,  but I could have just had the doctor put it down in the notes along with a copy of my diet (wrote everything down with dAiley calorie intake) and excersize candy made sure they also kept a copy in the records. My ins required 5 years of weight from a doc office, just gave the ins vitals one visit a year and it worked. 

I am currently in the process of trying to get information from my insurance company and this is not an easy task, dealing with them. I have Coventry One, Carelink Tier 1. The problem I am having is finding an approved provider. I go on their website and there are Bariatric Surgeons listed, but when I call they tell me the only one approved is a state away;. I just don't get it. Bariatric surgery isn't possible for me at all if this is true, as it is a 4 hour drive for me. Has anyone had any experiences with Coventry One, specifically the Carelink Tier 1? I'm thankful for coverage, but it won't help me if I have to travel that far. 

The Early Bird catches the savings!  There are only six more days until the Early Bird Ticket discount flies away on March 31st. 

Our Conferences have something for everyone regardless where you are on your bariatric journey.  Check out what members say about their experience at the OH Conferences. 

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