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My surgeons office said they can supervise my 6 month diet. I was under the impression that my pcp had to do the superviving. Should I go ahead and schedule an appt. w/ my pcp anyways ea month? I'm in my second mo now. I'm not even being weighed ea mo. One mo I see dietician, one mo psych eval, then weight counselor, finally surgeon. I was weighed at first appt. then again will be the last month. What role should my pcp play. I have BCBS of Ala. Thanks

I'm using Dr. Baptista in Jacksonville. We live in Florida but have BCBS of Ala. I do somewhat trust my Dr.s office, however, I'm concerned about the months where I'm seeing the WLCounselor, whose not a physican I'm pretty sure. Also aren't they supposed to be documenting the weight loss attempts with an explanation each month? What role does my primary play in all this? I didn't mention in the already long post earlier but I don't have a three year documented weight history of 35 bmi w/ co-morbid problems. It's probably more like 32 - 34 on the other years. I"m 245 5'10. 2007 229 2006 210 and 2005 221. It's a long shot to begin with, but I just don't want to wait 6 mo only to have them tell me I'm not eligible because I didn't follow their guidelines. Yhanks

On March 12th I went to my first appt. with the WLS. I took with me the print out from bcbs website. I interpreted it as saying the surgeon could not supervise the 6 mo weight loss. Only your primary or another attending physican. When I showed them this they said they could supervise it. It also says on bcbs page that a dietician employed by them or acting as a consultant to the surgeron could not be used. They said their dietician was not employed by them but was the one they used. Hello, isn't that the same as a consultant? So here's how they have laid out my 6 mo plan. Ist visit was on march 12th. I was weighed and the process began. 2nd month is on April 2 with the dietician( a little soon I thought for the 2nd month's visit. 3rd month - Psychology session and a weight counselor session. Who counts as the physican that month, the psychologist or the weight counselor who's probably not even a Doctor? 4th and 5th month-weight loss counselor sessions. 6 month- meet with the surgeon last time. By the way, they never gave me any diet when I was in there. They told me because I was so close, 35.2 bmi not to lose any weight because I would be under the requirements. I have high blood pressure. Please somebody help me with this. THANK YOU

I have several questions if anyone can help. Can a Obgyn be used instead of my primary. Primary care physican said he would support me but didn't seem to thrilled. When I went to my Obgyn he couldn't have been more thrilled. He said it would be up to my primary but he would write a support letter. I think my insurance company stated in their benefit section that a obgyn would count. So I guess my question would be instead, is it wiser to use the primary or obgyn. Also during the six month waiting period what are some good points for the doctor to include in each months "statement". I'm barely in there with the BMI. What about the surgeon? Lastly, anyone know a good Doctor to use in Jacksonville Florida? Thanks so much for those who are willing to help those of us with so many questions. Thanks, Sharon

My BMI is somewhere around 37 or 38. I'm 5'10 and weigh about 246. I have treated high blood pressure. I've just about given up on the hope of having this surgery because I don't have a 3 year history of a BMI over 35. Very close though, like 220 one year, 232 another. BCBS of ALA requires a 3 year history of weight and height showing a BMI of 35 or more with pre-existing illness. Here's the question: Eventhough my BMI history is not above 35(except for now), currently I'm technically right at 100 pounds over weight if you go by height and weight charts. Does anyone know if I have a better chance now with that being the case or do I need to show a 3 year history of that weight? Actually a weight of 152 is the lowest for my height and frame. I could easily gain those few pounds to be exactly 100 pounds over. Hopefully someone with this type of insurance might enlighten me, but any experience with this I'd appreciate.

So I really have a slim chance then because I don't have but one pre-exsiting condition and I may only have one year out of three that shows a BMI of 35 not including my current weight. My sleep disorder cannot be turned into sl. apena. I printed out the info from my insurance company and it didn't say how many pre-exsiting illness's just that you had to have co-morbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apena, etc. I guess what I also really want to know is does anyone know if they'll bend some if my bmi was close those three years but not quite 35? I have a family history of overweight folks, tons of weight related illness and unsuccessful attempts. Thanks

My BMI is now 35.7. I have been recently diagnosed with Hypertension. Every three to 6 months for years I have to go to a Pulmory Dr for a sleep disorder(not apena). I'm weighed and blood pressure is taken. Heres the problem and question: BCBS of Ala requires a three year recorded history of weight and pressure but I don't have three years of a BMI of 35, close maybe 33 or 34 sometimes. Does anyone know if I have a chance in heck of still qualifying? Any BCBS of Ala advice would also be appreciated. Thanks