Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Weightloss Surgery?
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Weightloss Surgery? On average, it will take Blue Cross Blue Shield 30 days to approve your request for bariatric surgery. So, if you want to have weight loss surgery that is covered by your insurance, you should plan ahead and keep track of how long it takes to get BCBS approval.
First, choose a hospital or bariatric surgeon who can help you meet the BCBS approval conditions quickly and will follow up with them on your behalf. Prepare all the paperwork that BCBS may need, such as health records, medical tests, a report on your diet and exercise, and a certificate from a class on changing your behavior (if required).
The BCBS appeals process says that you can still file an appeal if Blue Cross Blue Shield does not approve your pre-authorization for bariatric surgery. With help from your surgeon, be ready to respond to every reason they’ve given to turn down your request for coverage. Follow the exact rules of the BCBS appeals process and file your appeal within the time limit.
If BCBS doesn’t approve your bariatric surgery and your appeal is also denied, that doesn’t mean you have to deny yourself good health and a long life. Check out options for low-cost bariatric surgery, like medical tourism with a reputable service provider. This will help you lose weight and get your health back without going over your budget.
When Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Weightloss Surgery?
Is bariatric surgery covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield for federal workers? Yes, as long as you qualify for the BCBS program for federal employees. At the same time, the insurance coverage for weight loss surgery will depend on the laws of the state where you live and work. Here are some of the most important rules about this coverage.
To be eligible for Blue Cross Blue Shield federal bariatric surgery coverage, you must be at least 18 years old. Your BMI should be over 35 if you have certain co-morbidities or over 40 if you don’t have any co-morbidities.
To be covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield’s federal weight loss surgery program, you may have to show medical records that show you’ve been diagnosed with morbid obesity for up to three years. In line with this, you can submit a letter from your PCP saying the same thing. Before your scheduled bariatric surgery, a licensed, independent psychiatrist or behavioral specialist may need to do a professional psychological evaluation to see if you are mentally and emotionally ready for the procedure.
Your Blue Cross Blue Shield federal bariatric surgery coverage may list policy exclusions. Some of these are experimental procedures, a long-term problem with using drugs, a terminal illness, psychopathy, pregnancy, or a history of not following medical advice.
Blue Cross And Blue Shield’s Policy On Bariatric Surgery
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield pay for surgery to help people lose weight? Most of the time, the answer is yes, it does. But insurance companies in each state might have different rules for different groups. Also, each patient’s Blue Cross Blue Shield bariatric surgery policy may have slightly different terms and conditions, exclusions, and coverage limits.
Find out before you buy a Blue Cross Blue Shield weight loss surgery policy which procedures are covered and which ones are not. If your employer or your spouse’s employer gives you insurance, check to see if they have chosen not to cover BCBS bariatric care.
If your Blue Cross Blue Shield policy doesn’t cover bariatric surgery, check for paperwork mistakes and ask for a reason. Also, if your Blue Cross Blue Shield weight loss surgery pre-authorization is denied, you may want to file an appeal with the insurance company. Does Anthem Blue Cross Cover Balloon Weightloss Surgery?
If your Blue Cross Blue Shield policy doesn’t cover bariatric surgery, you might want to look into the lowest self-pay options and other ways to pay for medical care.
Blue Cross Weight Loss Coverage Policies
Does Blue Cross Blue Shield pay for surgery to help people lose weight? Yes, as long as there isn’t a clause that says you can opt out of this coverage to save money on your premiums. But even if you have valid BCBS coverage for bariatric surgery, you will still have to meet certain requirements to be eligible.
Most people have to follow a liquid diet for about two weeks before their bariatric surgery. Patients who have been overweight for a long time often get used to eating bigger meals to fill their bigger stomachs. So, the idea of drinking only liquids for 10 to 14 days makes them wonder how to survive a liquid diet before bariatric surgery.
Diet After Weight Loss
The best liquid diet for weight loss surgery will be low in fat and sugar and provide up to 1,000 calories a day, including about 120g of lean proteins. Before bariatric surgery, your bariatric team will give you a pre-op diet plan and some good recipes for a liquid diet. The exact plan will depend on your age, BMI, other health problems, and the type of surgery you will have to lose weight.
Before having gastric sleeve surgery, patients should have a clear idea of what they can eat and drink. In general, this diet will be made up of liquid foods that are easy to digest and low in calories, with a focus on protein shakes. Does Blue Cross Blue Shield Cover Weight Loss Surgery ?
The main parts of a liquid diet before gastric sleeve surgery are as follows:
- During these two weeks, a big part of what you eat will be protein shakes that replace meals.
- Most of the time, you will only be able to drink sugar-free drinks or drinks with sugar substitutes.
- No drinks with carbonation, caffeine, or alcohol will be allowed.
- You can drink chicken broth or broth made from vegetables without any chunks of food.
- Vegetable juice and fruit juice in limited quantity are acceptable.
Liquid Diet
How to survive on a liquid diet before bariatric surgery is sometimes more important for people who have had gastric bypass, especially if they also have type 2 diabetes. Before gastric bypass surgery, it’s important for these people to keep their blood sugar levels under control while also meeting the goals of a liquid diet.
Two weeks before the gastric bypass, you should not eat any solid, pureed, or soft foods. People should drink low-carb, high-protein shakes that have about 25g of protein per 10 oz.
To stay hydrated, you can drink just one cup (8 oz.) of decaffeinated coffee or tea per day. Each day, you can drink up to 16 ounces of a sugar-free electrolyte drink.
How Do I Learn the Answer to ‘Does Medicaid Cover Weight Loss Surgery?’
Patients covered by Medicaid often ask, “does Medicaid cover weight loss surgery?” Yes, Medicaid does cover weight loss surgery in some states. However, it is essential to take into consideration the specific state regulations and Medicaid requirements to determine if you are eligible. Generally, Medicaid coverage will be provided if a person has a BMI of 40 or higher or if their BMI is between 35 and 40 with one or more obesity-related medical conditions.
Additionally, you may need to provide documentation of your medical history and a recommendation from your doctor to qualify for coverage. It is best to contact your local Medicaid office or provider to ask, “does Medicaid cover weight loss surgery?” and see if you qualify for coverage.
Furthermore, if your state does not offer coverage for weight loss surgery, there may be other options, such as loan assistance programs or financing plans available through hospitals or private practices that specialize in bariatric surgery. Be sure to research all available options before deciding.
Ultimately, it is essential that those seeking weight loss surgery understand their insurance coverage and any available financial assistance should the procedure not be covered by their plan.
