How long did you wait for insurance approval?

Once your request for surgery was submitted, how long did it take to get an answer?

Currently, my insurance plan will cover GBS and lap band if you can demonstrate a 5 year history of being 100 pounds overweight. However, on May 1st, they are changing the plan and requiring people to go through a 1 year medically supervised diet prior to surgery. Originally, the insurance person at the surgeon's office believed that that meant that the surgery actually had to be performed prior to May 1st. Now we have found out that it means we just have to have approval by May 1st, and typically the approval is good for 1 year after insurance approval. The insurance person submitted my 5 year weight history on March 26th. She told  me to start making phone calls in a week or so to find out about my approval, and that she has it on her calendar as well.

Is it reasonable to expect that they will respond by May 1st, if the request was submitted on March 26th? I really don't want to go on yet ANOTHER diet for a year before I can have this surgery. Right now I am hoping for a surgery date of 5/23.

Thanks!

Mine was submitted on March 17th  and approved on March 26th.  I just got the call from my doctors office this morning.

Mine was submitted on the 26th and I was approved on the 27th.  So, hopefully you willhear soon as well.

It all depends on your insurance company.  I have BCBS of Mich PPO and my surgeon office told me that they approve/deny fast within a couple of days.  I had my approval in less than 2 days.   I've read where some people it took a month or more.  Good luck Lori

mine was very fast, If I remember correctly, it was 3days

I was self-pay, so I don't have any personal advice, but I do have a friend that FINALLY got approved after her 3RD appeal...so don't give up...it can happen, but you have to show them that your dedicated...and not giving up after a denial is the way to go!!! xoxo Kim

I have Aetna. Originally denied after 2 weeks because they were missing 2 pages of doctor's notes , papers resubmitted and approved 10 days later. Hopefully yours won't take as long, but do call them to check on their progress.  If they need more info you can find out sooner, instead of waiting for a letter. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hi!! Another Pam M. here (there's one more I know of here too LOL). Anyway, I *think* insurance companies have 30 days to respond.  There's a great lady who used to work insurance (who's name of course escapes me right now) who advocates for WLS issues.  Hopefully she'll respond. Good luck!

I have Coastal TPA. It took about 2-3 days.

I was told it could take up to 45 days and i was approved in 1 1/2 weeks. Good luch i hope you get approved quick. Brenda