Does blue cross blue shield cover weight loss surgery?

BCBS generally does cover bariatric surgery, but they have a very long checklist that you must complete first. You'll likely need to show six months of medically supervised weight loss attempts. Don't plan the surgery in a hurry; map out the pre-approval timeline first to save time and money.

In my personal experience with BCBS, they covered almost 80% of my relative's bariatric procedure, but we had to submit a lot of paperwork. I am not an expert on policies, but we had to show several doctor recommendations. It was a tedious process, but it worked out fine in the end.

I totally get it, managing weight issues is so stressful and finding out about insurance just adds to the headache. It is really tough when you want a solution but have to jump through so many administrative hoops. Stay strong and get a clear written approval from them before scheduling anything.

Based on what I have seen over the years, most Blue Cross plans will cover it if your BMI is over 40, or over 35 with other health issues like high BP or diabetes. Just make sure the hospital and the surgeon are both in-network. Otherwise, you might get a massive bill later.

My consulting doctor clearly explained that insurance approval requires a documented history of obesity-related health risks. BCBS has specific criteria, including psychological evaluation and nutritional counseling before they approve the surgery. Make sure your medical team submits detailed clinical notes to support your claim.