Kristy5567

I'm with you Donna... Take a look at my history (my signature), I'm at 3.5cc's and I'm experiencing some restriction, but hardly any weight loss, and I'm eating very healthy, walking, and everything else I am supposed to do!!! If anyone has any input, it would be appreciated! Kristy

I HAVE BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD FEP THROUGH THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, AND I LIVE IN MICHIGAN!

IT NEVER HURTS TO TRY!!! THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN IS THEY CAN DENY YOUR CLAIM!!! TRY, AND TRY AGAIN!!!! GOOD LUCK!!! KRISTY

You are going to want itemized billing and detailed surgical reports, they will most likely be in Spanish, but the insurance companies have translators... It will detail what medication you were given when, how much was charged for it, and so on and so forth... Good luck to you! Kristy

OCC doesn't have anything to do with your insurance, other than to give YOU your surgery reports and itemized bills, if you need them. You can call him and ask for them, email him, or you can wait and ask while you are there... I have no idea how long it would take their office to get these things around, as I had them mailed to me.... Good luck to you! Kristy

I did the international form... Good luck! Kristy

GOOD FOR YOU ANGELAV!!!! EVERYONE SHOULD TRY SUBMITTING IF THEY HAVE INSURANCE, IT CAN'T HURT! I'LL KEEP PRAYING FOR ALL OF THE REST WHO ARE TRYING!!! Kristy

Dr. Kam in Ypsilanti Michigan is a really great Doctor... He charges $150 for a fill (done blindly, but he knows what he's doing), x-ray costs $70 or $75, and the initial visit cost $250 (I think), but my insurance covered the first visit, even before they paid for the surgery! give their office a call... they are wonderful... Another suggestion is to go to www.obesityhelp.com, click on find a bariatric surgeon in the upper left corner, click your state, and start calling, that's what I did!!! Good luck to all! Kristy

I think it took me about a week to two weeks... My forms were mailed to me via USPS... Good luck to you, let me know if there is anything else I can help with! Kristy

That is such a wonderful story!!! I'm glad to help anyone who needs it! It just pays to try, and insurance companies sometimes need to be pushed! I did NOT have to have a psych evaluation, or a referral (although both my regular dr and my diabetic dr both knew I was having it done, and encouraged me)... I have BCBS/FEP, and didn't even bother to check with them before I had it done, but heard afterward that they started covering the surgery as of January 07, so I just tried! And that is what everyone who has insurance should do! Good luck to all! Kristy

That is such a wonderful story!!! I'm glad to help anyone who needs it! It just pays to try, and insurance companies sometimes need to be pushed! I did NOT have to have a psych evaluation, or a referral (although both my regular dr and my diabetic dr both knew I was having it done, and encouraged me)... I have BCBS/FEP, and didn't even bother to check with them before I had it done, but heard afterward that they started covering the surgery as of January 07, so I just tried! And that is what everyone who has insurance should do! Good luck to all! Kristy

Just call the OCC, ask for Rene, and let him know what you need... They faxed the first set of documents to me, and my insurance company kicked it back for more information... OCC ended up mailing me the rest of the documents... I'm not sure as far as any exclusions from the insurance company! Now, I only wish they covered the fills... LOL Wishful thinking... Good luck to all! I'll be thinking of and praying for you all! Kristy

The only problem I had/have is that I am juvenile diabetic... I did have some high cholesterol and my dr put me on lipitor, but that was for about 3-4 months, and I am no longer on any other medications other than insulin... Like I've said, it can't hurt to try! Good luck and I will be praying for everyone! Kristy

I DID NOT HAVE ANY PRE AUTHORIZATION, PRE APPROVAL, NO COUNSELING, ETC., ETC... I DO NOT THINK THIS WILL RUIN YOUR CHANCES AT ALL! I THINK THE OCC WAS QUITE HELPFUL IN SENDING THE RIGHT DOCUMENTS AND THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE STARTING TO REALIZE HOW MUCH MONEY THEY COULD SAVE OVER TIME IF WE WERE HEALTHIER PEOPLE!!! I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU, BUT JUST STAY POSITIVE! KRISTY

I am a juvenile diabetic, 22 years plus, I wear an insulin pump... I had also recently had high cholesterol, which my diabetic doctor had put me on lipitor... But that was about it... BCBS/FEP didn't ask for anything for pre-approval... I went and had the surgery figuring I'd have to pay for it (which I did to begin with)... I sent in the receipt (ask OCC for an itemized bill)... They sent it back wanting more detailed information, I called OCC, they sent quite a few forms to me that were in spanish, so I didn't understand what all they said, but I sent them into BCBS, and it took about a month and a half to two months to receive the check... Good luck to you and anyone else in trying to recover the cost of surgery... Kristy