Insurance Approval

I have Anthem BCBS Virginia and I was wondering if they will cover the VSG even if I do not have any Co-morbidities? How long does it take to get approved? I am 5'8" and my Bmi is 42.4.

The best way to find out for sure is call the number on your card and ask the if your specific plan covers it.  Large employers can write their own rules for certain procedures, and WLS is one of those procedures.

If they do say it is covered, ask what the "rules" are for having it covered ( 6 months supervised weight loss?  Two years of weight loss history, etc.).

If you have a copy of your benefits booklet, look there as well -- it might have the info in it. 

 

Also -- since you have a surgeon picked out -- you can call them, give them your insurance member number, and they will look up the requirements.  At my first meeting with the surgeon, the insurance coordinator met with me first, and ran through everything as well.  Since I had called my insurance company already, I was happy that what she told me matched exactly what the rep on the phone told me!

Ok that is helpful, thank you!

Google "anthem bariatric surgery policy" and you will find their newly revised policy. (Surg.00024) With a BMI over 40, you don't need comorbidities. There are other hoops to go through but they are easy.