Kenzee245

Hello, So I am currently in my 6 month diet classes in order to get the sleeve with United Healthcare in CA. I just found out that my dads insurance, which I am covered under till im 26, expires on Jan. 31st. I called my medical group which requires all of these steps and they said that they could not help me out and that these classes i am taking only count for their medical group not anyone else. I decided to change medical groups hoping that this other one does not require as much, but i cant get it till jan. 1st. I have thought about going to Mexicali to see Dr. Aceves and just pay for the surgery but i am not sure yet. if i do get my own insurance, then i have to pay my premium, plus my yearly max, plus my co pay for the surgery which pretty much eaquals surgery in Mexicali. I also thought about medi-cal (aka medicaid ) but then i would be starting all over again with finding a dr that would refer me. I already had trouble when i saw my first pcp and then had to search for a different pcp. I feel like i am running in place with this process and i am getting very discouraged. Anyone have tips on this or what i should do?

Can I ask both of you, what was the total for the whole procedure with the Doctors in Mexico ?

Hello, Right now I am in progress of taking my 18 weeks worth of nutriton classes for my health insurance. The only problem is, my health insurance runs out on October 31st and my classes end in Janurary. I have no other option then to get on Medi-cal to have health insurance. I am from southern California and wanted to know if anyone has had the surgery done with Medi-cal, which option and how did you go about the whole process. Please Please help.

The class was a requirement by my health group which is determining my approval for the weight loss surgery. I am required to take 18 classes once a week and 2 eval with a psychologist before I meet with the surgeon. Then I have to undergo any of his requirements. I need to call my Insurance plan again today and just double check that it is a covered benefit and that the approval is made by my medical group and not by them. ( kinda sounds off to me )

Hello, So today I go for my first time to a Weight Management Class which is a mandatory step in my process of the getting approved for the sleeve. I was just wondering if anyone had already been to the class or one like it. I wanted to know what kind of things they do or talk about. Do they try to talk to you out of the surgery or discourage it? Just wanted to see what I was going into tonight. Thanks

Oh wow, thank you that helped a lot. I am hoping they are like that and support the surgery and everything. Did you have loose a certain amount taking the class? what if you lost to much weight?

Awh isg thats a bummer! I made sure I researched and re-researched to make sure I did not have to do it twice. ebonisekim: Thats awesome. I only have to do 4.5 months and im hoping to not gain any as well

In my other post I was dreading talking to my PCP about weight loss surgery and actually worked myself up for nothing! He referred me to my supervised diet which is an 18 week program then I have 2 phsyc eval then I get the final referral to the surgeon. All I am hoping now is that I dont have to do a 6 month diet for my insurance company. The 18 week program is just for my medical group. hmm hope not!! Excited to start this journey and hoping next year will be a great new chapter (if everything goes well)

My first PCP told me he does not believe in WLS and was going to give me diet pills. I was so upset I switched PCPs becuase like your insurance I have to have my PCP refer me. My new PCP was amazing. First time to see him he gave me the referrel right then based on family history and my BMI. He is against diet pills and believes i am a great candidate. But if you read my other post you would see how scared i was to talk to him. I just went in there with my head high and told him straight forward. Best of Luck

yes same here! I start my classes next week on the 5th and I found out that my insurance company leaves the decision up to my Medical group. Have you started your classes or 6 month diet yet?

I will do that today !

Well I have an 18 Month weight class i have to take so i have time to choose. I was thinking Blue Shield

Hello, So I have stated this before but my insurance under my dad's policy is running out. I am trying to find an insurance plan to get so I can get the surgery done. Anyone in California that has worked with an insurance company that was easy and didnt require much for the pre-op phase? I would love opinions. I have Pacificare right now.

I know this is silly becuase i have not even talked to my new PCP yet, but i have anxiety about the whole surgery and getting approved. I have a BMI of 39 but not sure about the co-morbidities. I dont know if I am going to get through or that my new PCP is going to agree with me about my decision. Any advice on how to talk to your PCP?

YAY!! Saw my PCP this morning and he gave me my referral. Now off to my 5 month class Thank You guys for all the support

Khromepixie, I am 21 almost 22 and I am employed full time

Little more pressure added to my experience. I am 21 and fall under my dad's insurance still which is through the union. Well he lost his job and our insurance expires on October 31st. He needs to find a job through the union before the insurance will kick in. I see my PCP tomorrow and I am going to ask what he can do. For my medical group I am required to do a 16-18 week program before even being referred. ahh just another sign that this is in God's hands and timing

What I did was went to the top of this page and clicked surgeons. I searched from some around my area and messaged the people that used them directly. They will let you know how the surgeon was Other than that, I just researched on Google.

I decided to write a letter about my experience with my weight so far and its sad how at 10 yrs old I was already well aware that I was overweight thanks to the comments made at school. I have been dieting since I was 11. I am so ready for this new chapter in my life ! Still anxious about Thrusday

Yeah I wish I could just walk into the surgeons office and get the surgery like that...(dreaming) i just hope i dont go through this 18 week process then have to do the 6 month diet as well. I wont be happy with that. Well this is a new doctor so i don't even know his ideas regarding it. still have anxiety though

Being curious, I just called my Medical group to see what they require. She told me I would have to do an 18 week health weight management class then 2 evaluations with a psychologist and then get referred to my surgeon. Anyone have to take this class or heard of it?

I have food journals and weigh ins starting back in June, I have letters and medical records from a nutritionist that I went and saw a year ago, my personal trainer a couple months ago and letters from my peditrician when he had to write a letter stating I could participate in weight watchers in 4th Grade. I have everything, its just the first time I worked up all this courage to ask my first PCP and it was a straight no. So I am hoping this new PCP pulls through for me. I wanted to see what you guys brought to your PCP to help get the refferal. My insurance requires i get a referral to be covered by the bariatric department.

Hey everyone thanks for the responses . This is my second doctor ill be going to. My first Pcp told me he didn't believe in the procedure so I switched doctors. This will be my first encounter with him. I dint want to be put on diet pills because I have been there done that. I'm just so ready for a new lifestyle and change. Praying it goes smoothly I am just afraid I wont even qualify. I hear all these stories of things falling through for other people and it scares me. Lots of anxiety right now over it and I haven't even seen my Pcp yet

So i have been reading on here trying to prepare myself as much as possible for my first meeting with my PCP to get reffered to the bariatric hospital that i want to go to. I called my insurance to see about my coverage. The lady i talked to said she couldnt see in my policy if it was or was not covered. I then called and talked to another lady that said she would mail my policy out to me so i can read it. When i asked about qualifications she said all i have to do is get referred by my primary care doctor and then that medical group will have qualifications. anyone going through this? My health insurance is United Healthcare/Pacificare and my medical groud is Bright Health physicians in california. I have over 5 years of weight history issues and a bmi of 38 i dont know of any co morbidities yet. so i am confused

So I am only 21 and still fall under my Dad's insurance plan. He just lost his job and said the insurance is only good for three months from now. There is no way I would be able to get the surgery in 3 months and it all be covered. I feel hopeless right now! Anyone self pay in California and what did it run you? Any suggestion