jenn.ifer

Hey, I am looking for a surgeon in Montgomery County Maryland area. Please advise. I will have either Aetna or BC/BS in a few months. Thanks!

Has anyone used this program? Medically Supervised Diet Documentation

What is the Aetna guidelines in MD? Thanks!

My new insurance has not kicked in (long story) but I will have either Aetna or BCBS, in the mean time I know I may have to have a 3-6 month supervised diet before qualifying. Does anyone know a doctor/ dietcian I can go to in the Montgomery County area? Need an affordable plan of action! Thanks :smile2:

Hey, from everything I have read, BCBS requires 6 months, is there a way around this? Thanks, Jennifer :smile2:

Wow- thats incredible. What insurance do you have?

Hey, I am in the Montgomery County area and met with Dr. Green, at the time my insurance would not cover so I put it on hold. I am getting new insurance now, so fingers crossed. How much did you have to lose pre op?

I am looking for a doctor in the Montgomery County area that accepts Aetna. Thanks! :thumbup:

I found this on te Aetna website.. Number: 0157 Policy Note: Most Aetna HMO and QPOS plans exclude coverage of surgical operations, procedures or treatment of obesity unless approved by Aetna. Some Aetna plans entirely exclude coverage of surgical treatment of obesity. Please check benefit plan descriptions for details. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), Laparoscopic Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding (LASGB), Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) and Duodenal Switch (DS) Procedures: Aetna considers open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), open or laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with or without duodenal switch (DS), or laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) medically necessary when the selection criteria listed below are met. Selection criteria: Presence of severe obesity that has persisted for at least the last 2 years, defined as any of the following: Body mass index (BMI)* exceeding 40; or BMI* greater than 35 in conjunction with any of the following severe co-morbidities: Coronary heart disease; or Type 2 diabetes mellitus; or Clinically significant obstructive sleep apnea (i.e., patient meets the criteria for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea set forth in Aetna CPB 004 - Obstructive Sleep Apnea); or Medically refractory hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic despite optimal medical management); and [*]Member has completed growth (18 years of age or documentation of completion of bone growth); and [*]Member has attempted weight loss in the past without successful long-term weight reduction; and [*]Member must meet either criterion 1 (physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program) or criterion 2 (multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen): Physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program: Member has participated in physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program (including dietician consultation, low calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral modification), documented in the medical record at each visit. This physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must meet all of the following criteria: or [*]Multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen: Proximate to the time of surgery, member must participate in organized multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen of at least three months duration meeting all of the following criteria, in order to improve surgical outcomes, reduce the potential for surgical complications, and establish the member's ability to comply with post-operative medical care and dietary restrictions: Consultation with a dietician or nutritionist; and Reduced-calorie diet program supervised by dietician or nutritionist; and Exercise regimen (unless contraindicated) to improve pulmonary reserve prior to surgery, supervised by exercise therapist or other qualified professional; and Behavior modification program supervised by qualified professional; and Documentation in the medical record of the member's participation in the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen at each visit. (A physician's summary letter, without evidence of contemporaneous oversight, is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of the physician's initial assessment of the member, and the physician's assessment of the member's progress at the completion of the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen.) Nutrition and exercise program must be supervised and monitored by a physician working in cooperation with dieticians and/or nutritionists; and Nutrition and exercise program(s) must be for a cumulative total of 6 months or longer in duration and occur within 2 years prior to surgery, with participation in one program of at least three consecutive months. (Precertification may be made prior to completion of nutrition and exercise program as long as a cumulative of six months participation in nutrition and exercise program(s) will be completed prior to the date of surgery.); and Member's participation in a physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must be documented in the medical record by an attending physician who supervised the member's participation. The nutrition and exercise program may be administered as part of the surgical preparative regimen, and participation in the nutrition and exercise program may be supervised by the surgeon who will perform the surgery or by some other physician. Note: A physician's summary letter is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of physician's contemporaneous assessment of patient's progress throughout the course of the nutrition and exercise program. For members who participate in a physician-administered nutrition and exercise program (e.g., MediFast, OptiFast), program records documenting the member's participation and progress may substitute for physician medical records;

I found this on the Aetna website.. Number: 0157 Policy Note: Most Aetna HMO and QPOS plans exclude coverage of surgical operations, procedures or treatment of obesity unless approved by Aetna. Some Aetna plans entirely exclude coverage of surgical treatment of obesity. Please check benefit plan descriptions for details. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB), Laparoscopic Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding (LASGB), Biliopancreatic Diversion (BPD) and Duodenal Switch (DS) Procedures: Aetna considers open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), open or laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) with or without duodenal switch (DS), or laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) medically necessary when the selection criteria listed below are met. Selection criteria: Presence of severe obesity that has persisted for at least the last 2 years, defined as any of the following: Body mass index (BMI)* exceeding 40; or BMI* greater than 35 in conjunction with any of the following severe co-morbidities: Coronary heart disease; or Type 2 diabetes mellitus; or Clinically significant obstructive sleep apnea (i.e., patient meets the criteria for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea set forth in Aetna CPB 004 - Obstructive Sleep Apnea); or Medically refractory hypertension (blood pressure greater than 140 mmHg systolic and/or 90 mmHg diastolic despite optimal medical management); and [*]Member has completed growth (18 years of age or documentation of completion of bone growth); and [*]Member has attempted weight loss in the past without successful long-term weight reduction; and [*]Member must meet either criterion 1 (physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program) or criterion 2 (multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen): Physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program: Member has participated in physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program (including dietician consultation, low calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral modification), documented in the medical record at each visit. This physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must meet all of the following criteria: or [*]Multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen: Proximate to the time of surgery, member must participate in organized multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen of at least three months duration meeting all of the following criteria, in order to improve surgical outcomes, reduce the potential for surgical complications, and establish the member's ability to comply with post-operative medical care and dietary restrictions: Consultation with a dietician or nutritionist; and Reduced-calorie diet program supervised by dietician or nutritionist; and Exercise regimen (unless contraindicated) to improve pulmonary reserve prior to surgery, supervised by exercise therapist or other qualified professional; and Behavior modification program supervised by qualified professional; and Documentation in the medical record of the member's participation in the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen at each visit. (A physician's summary letter, without evidence of contemporaneous oversight, is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of the physician's initial assessment of the member, and the physician's assessment of the member's progress at the completion of the multidisciplinary surgical preparatory regimen.) Nutrition and exercise program must be supervised and monitored by a physician working in cooperation with dieticians and/or nutritionists; and Nutrition and exercise program(s) must be for a cumulative total of 6 months or longer in duration and occur within 2 years prior to surgery, with participation in one program of at least three consecutive months. (Precertification may be made prior to completion of nutrition and exercise program as long as a cumulative of six months participation in nutrition and exercise program(s) will be completed prior to the date of surgery.); and Member's participation in a physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must be documented in the medical record by an attending physician who supervised the member's participation. The nutrition and exercise program may be administered as part of the surgical preparative regimen, and participation in the nutrition and exercise program may be supervised by the surgeon who will perform the surgery or by some other physician. Note: A physician's summary letter is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of physician's contemporaneous assessment of patient's progress throughout the course of the nutrition and exercise program. For members who participate in a physician-administered nutrition and exercise program (e.g., MediFast, OptiFast), program records documenting the member's participation and progress may substitute for physician medical records;

Yeah, I've been thru this before with my old insurance a few years back. I started a new job recently and am waiting for my insurance to be effective in 3 months, but I wanted to get started at least. I have a history of dieting for 6 months like 3 years ago with my doctor, although one month weigh in is missing in there, but I doubt they will use that. The last time was with my primary care doctor, i wanted to see if I should go with a dietician. Thanks, Jennifer

Should I be doing a 3 month diet with my primary doctor or a dietician/ nutrionalist? Thanks, Jennifer

Thanks for all the info. I have a couple questions. I jus started a new job and (in 90 days) I will have Aetna Insurance. I have been wanted to get the band for years now and havn't been able to in the past due to isurance issues, can't afford it myself. But, I am more than ready. What can I start doing now so that in 3 months when my insurance is effective, I can get this thing scheduled?? Any and all help... Thanks, Jennifer

Great! Thanks so much, I am going to get right on that!

Hey. Thanks for the info. I have a couple questions. I jus started a new job and (in 90 days) I will have Aetna Insurance. I have been wanted to get the band for years now and havn't been able to in the past due to isurance issues, can't afford it myself. But, I am more than ready. What can I start doing now so that in 3 months when my insurance is effective, I can get this thing scheduled?? Any and all help... Thanks, Jennifer

I just started my research on Doctors on Mexico. I have heard from another weight loss group about Dr. Kuri. Has anyone else been to him? What was your experience? Heard about him? Thanks, Jennifer

Which doctor did you go to?

I think you should only discuss it with whomever you feel comfortable discussing it with. I also struggled with who I should talk to about it and although I have not yet had surgery. I pretty much only talked about it with my mother. No one else needs to know.

Thanks, I am going to check him out as well.

Hey, how much was the cost of surgery. I heard from Dr. Kuri's office saying $7500 not inc airfare. That seemed pretty reasonable. This is what they emailed me regarding fees: The price of this all inclusive package is $7,500.00 and includes the following: All Pre Operative Testing: History and Physical Exams; blood analysis; and EKG. All related surgical costs: Surgeons; Anesthesia; Equipment, Hospital Stay; Nursing Care; etc. Two night stay in a patient suite at the Hospital Angeles Two night stay at the Palacio Azteca hotel in close proximity to the hospital Free Ground transportation to and from the hospital from the San Diego Airport or Border Free Fills for Life! ($95.00 fee for the required fluoroscopy is charged by, and paid directly to, Hospital Angeles, fee subject to change by the facility)

Wow, thanks everyone. I'm so glad he is highly recommended. I am definitely interested in learning more about him and your experience. Please email me at jmallis879@gmail.com. Thanks!!!

What is the cost of surgery with Dr. Kuri? I will be very interested to hear how things go with him. Thanks!

Catzintj, where doctor did you go to? Thanks,