Anthem BC/BS and VSG

Well my Dr (Johns Hopkins)admin staff called about my insurance (I can hear all of you saying OH NO!) and they said that they couldn't get a hold of my insurance company so I had to give them some new phone numbers.  Has anyone had any luck with Anthem BC/BS in Virginia?  It's a keycare program PPO.  I'm not really holding out much hope other than they might cover all of the stuff leading up to the day of the surgury (of course the most expensive part).  Maybe they will apply benefits to the hospital, maybe.  But I'm betting it's not going to work out. Dr. Elariny's office has already told me that they work with my insurance but to what percentage who knows. So I assume sometime this month I will go to Dr. E's seminars and start talking with him.  I hope he will get more out of my insurance. Ahh insurance woe's.  You've all been there.  I feel like this surgury is my only hope and am waiting on pins and needles.  I just hope that insurance will pay for some of the surgury.  I am willing to be a self pay but then I'd go to John Hopkins because of some other problems I have that they specialize in.  But then we can hardly afford day care for our kids and pay our bills.  Taking a loan for $20K would be very hard for me to sell to my family.  But I'm sure it's worth ever penny. Thanks for letting me vent. Jack

Morning Jack !  Yes at the time I had my surgery , I had Anthem BCBS .  My paperwork went in on a Tuesday am at 9 am . I was approved by Noon same day . Now this was 3 years ago mind you .  I tell all of my support group members this : Call the insurance company and get the info from them . Once your paperwork is submitted , call them daily to see where you are in the approval process . It may be now that you might have to do the 6 month doctor supervised diet program . I certainly hope not . Insurance requirements change so much dealing with our surgery types .  I would call them today and see what they require .  JH has an awesome bariatric progam . Good for you in going there . I may have to switch to them , as my doctor is in Richmond VA and I am now in Rockville . My endocrine doctor is at JH , so may be easier for me to get in .  Also, my husband has FEPBLUE , and when I had my PS in VA it reverted over to the Anthem BCBS policy , and they paid for my TT and most of my anesthia for my surgeries , and my hospital stays. So it is pretty good insurance in my book .  Please keep us posted . Remember you are the consumer and you have rights to know where your health stands .  Hugs,  Tink

I have BC/BS (government employee) and didn't have any problems.  I do know that there are many different policies available and not all cover the surgeries.  As Natalie says, it might be best if you call the customer service line and get all the information you can.

I have the cova care policy of Anthem BC/BS and was literally and honestly approved 20mins after the office lady called them.  My whole process from getting approved to surgery date (9-18-07) was about 3 weeks.  I know they don't cover everything such as i think overnight hospital stays are $300 a night but like you said..it is well worth it.

Well, We'll see what happens.  The staff at JH likes to handle the insurance so I will let them do their job and I bet they will end up covering me for part of the whole process but not all.  Which is completely fine with me.  So I'm just waiting their call to hear they they approve.  I check with JH every couple of days.  I'll let ya know when I hear what the news is. Wish me luck or say a prayer for me. Thanks. Jack