Those who wish to have bariatric surgery who have Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance may be able to have their procedure covered. This health insurance company has several plans, but not all provide coverage for any type of weight loss procedure.
How Long to Get Coverage
Most of the time, people who work through the required testing and obtain the necessary education may be able to request approval for bariatric surgery. However, it can take several weeks, usually around three weeks, to receive approval for the procedure.
In situations where bariatric surgery is considered emergent, your doctor will need to file documentation stating that and then request approval. This approval can take 3 or more days, though Blue Cross Blue Shield may approve or deny coverage within just a few days.
It is also important to know that the type of policy you have plays a role in this. If your Blue Cross Blue Shield policy provides coverage for bariatric surgery, it will also provide the stipulations as to when that coverage is made available and any restrictions or even automatic denials that could apply.
Your doctor will also need to provide documentation of the benefits of the procedure and medical testing to verify that this is in the best interest of your health. You must have documented proof of other weight loss methods and their failure in order to qualify for bariatric weight loss surgery.
Approval Times Will Very
There are various factors that can play a role in how long it takes Blue Cross Blue Shield to make their decision. You will usually submit the documentation and necessary medical forms to the insurance company directly from the surgeon or your healthcare provider. As long as they have met all requirements set by Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the claim is not denied, it will be processed quickly, and you will be given an explanation of whether it was approved or denied, such as if there is any missing paperwork. You may be able to then appeal the decision if you need to do so.
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