insurance not cover psych and dietician? - ThinnerTimes

futureme · 08-13-2007, 02:23 PM

blue cross blue shield told me they dont cover psych evaluation or dietician visit, anyone get this problem?

Nette72 · 08-13-2007, 02:53 PM

I have BCBS of ND and they don't cover the dietician but they did cover the psych eval. They first charged me for the psych eval but then once the I was approved for surgery I called them and told them I was approved and they said the psych eval would be covered but not the dietician appointments.

futureme · 08-13-2007, 06:38 PM

thank you thats good to know!

'thann · 08-14-2007, 06:46 AM

If I had waited, I could have gone to one of their in-network psychologists, but I chose to go to the specialist that Barix Clinic recommended. I'd rather see a psychologist who understands the gravity of WLS, and understands the kinds of questions to ask. I will submit my psych bill to BCBS for coverage, which they will probably cover. It's not a big deal if I have to pay the expense -- whatever it takes to get this surgery!

'thann

futureme · 08-15-2007, 05:02 PM

I totally agree!

Chrystine · 08-19-2007, 05:20 PM

I spoke with my BS and they told me both psych and nutritionist were covered, however, tried to make appointment with psych and have ins. billed but she said cash only. Will have to submit to insurance on my own. PCP is sending a referral to nutritionist though.
As for medically approved diet plans - does Jenny Craig qualify? I also did 8 months of meridia with a specialist doctor. Just trying to get my bases covered before hand because I would like to try to get the surgery in December.

moosie · 08-19-2007, 06:00 PM

my ins. didn't cover any of these either.

tinkermel · 08-21-2007, 08:22 AM

ins covered the psych for me, but not the dietician..

New Healthy Lisa · 08-21-2007, 10:51 AM

I was told up front that the nutritionist and psych eval would be out of pocket expenses and not covered.

Together, they cost $300. Don't forget about any deductible or copay you might have with the hospital. I had a $250 copay, which I also had to pay up front. So all told, I spent $550 out of pocket for a surgery that BCBS tells me they spent nearly $30K on. Not a bad deal when you put it in perspective

LisaM · 08-21-2007, 01:26 PM

Tricare doesn't pay for the dietician either, but you always have the ability to self-refer to a shrink for whatever reason--just the copay is $25, instead of the usual $12. So, all told about $450, $75 for three visits to the headshrinker, and had to pay $375 for all my dietician appointments (one week before, one week after, three weeks after, two months after, six months after) up front.