Read my letter to anthem... Let me know what you think

[THEMAXWELLFAMILY 0]

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Edited July 20, 2010 by THEMAXWELLFAMILY

[honk 780]

Hi. I think the first part of your letter is very good. Regarding the following:

I really need this procedure! I want to be able to play outside with my son without getting shortness of breath and having to use my inhaler. I want to be able to pick him up and hold him without my back and knees hurting. I want to be able to be able to wear my wedding ring again, and be able to put my shoes on in the morning without crying because my hands, feet, and ankles are so swollen.

I am missing out on so much because of my weight. I’m ready to make a change! I want to live a healthy life! I owe it to myself and to my family.

I understand you are trying to appeal to the reader's human side. Unfortunately business is just that business. Keep in mind I work in HR and I hear a lot of emotional personal stories and often there is just nothing I can do. You would'nt want the tone of the second half the letter to backfire and make the person less likely to champion your cause. First, No Exclamation points. They really don't belong in a business letter. Just No.

You may want to consider something along the lines of:

I really need this procedure. As the primary care giver of my son I must maintain a physical condition now and in the future that will allow me to meet his needs. I have to be able to perform everyday activities without needing to resort to my ashma inhaller.

I am ready for behavioral changes that this surgery will require and committed to doing what is required to be successful. I realize the surgery alone will not fix my weight problem. I have begun an exercise program as recommended by my doctor and will continue after the surgery.

Again, I urge you to reconsider my doctors recommendation that I under go the LapBand Surgery. With the physical assistance of the Band, thoughtful control of what I consume, and through a exercise program I can make weight loss surgery a successful addition to my life.

Again, not to sound mean spirited but the insurance company doesn't really care about the things listed below. Their answer would be: resize your wedding ring and buy larger shoes. Not the most humanitarian view I know but companies aren't there to be nice they are there to make money.

I want to be able to pick him up and hold him without my back and knees hurting. I want to be able to be able to wear my wedding ring again, and be able to put my shoes on in the morning without crying because my hands, feet, and ankles are so swollen.I am missing out on so much because of my weight. I’m ready to make a change! I want to live a healthy life! I owe it to myself and to my family.

I hope I don't get singed by the responses. Keep in mind I did provide an option of what the writer could send to their insurance. Working in a hightly rules based environment I just know how hard it is to hear sad stories that I can't do anything about. The more facts I have to deal with the more headway I can make.

[ardelia 41]

I'd stick to the facts. Forget about anything emotional. Don't embellish anything.

BTW, if that is your real name, you may want to consider editing your post. I surely would not want my real name and all of my comorbidities out there!!!

[OnTheWay to Thin 0]

Hi I worked in insurance for a very long time... I actually did medical preauth for surgery, and the above comments are correct. Keep all personal information out of the letter, they don't care, state the medical reasons for the surgery, not the life style ones. Sadly, obesity surgery is either covered or it is not, and knowing your personal information will not change the yes or no answer that you receive, so stick to the facts, get a letter from your doctor recommending the procedure and send that in.

Edited July 19, 2010 by OnTheWay to Thin
typo

[PuppyBandit 2]

I would take my name out of the post also. I wouldn't even want my last name in my online ID.