Re:Blue Cross/Blue Shield Fed Program

[Guest guest]

I'm glad to hear that BC/BS Fed program has been covering the BPD/DS. When I

was carrying BC/BS Fed program I could not get a referral to Dr. Rabkin after

apealing their decision, they relented and allowed me a referral to Dr.

Livingstone at UCLA who only does the lap surgery. The appeal to get that

referal took 6 months, and brought me close to the open season to change

insurance. It was more efficient to find an insurance that would pay for Dr.

Anthone rather than continue to carry BC/BS into the year 2000. I had

already wasted a year and half trying to get a referal to Dr. Rabkin and

wanted to get the surgery done. I don't believe that BC/BS Fed program

covered the BPD/DS as it was still listed in the booklet as being excluded

due to BC/BS considering it to be expermental.

Mailhandlers did cover the BPD/DS and I could refer myself w/o going through

my PCP so getting my first consult was easier.

I think it was only this year (2001) that BC/BS Fed program started to cover

the BPD/DS.

I suggested reading the lititure that comes out this next month to check the

coverage that will be offered for federal insurance programs. They do have a

track record of changing things and the only way you can find out is to read

over the booklets.

Cat