Bad Comment From Insurance Company..

[KAllison =) 20]

So.. I had my pre op appointment today.. I have to lose ten more pounds before my insurance will approve it.. Talk about lighting a fire under my butt lol.. But I was pretty offended to find out my insurance company said.. "she's still young.. Look at her age..this is a little drastic don't you think" okay first of all I'm 23 I may be young but my weight had been a problem my whole life.. In the second grade I weighed 120lbs for peeps sakes.. once my Bariatric.cordinator told her that boy didthe tune change lol Anyone else have any bad comments from there insurance company? ..

[NWgirl 574]

I am 23 as well, and I don't think it's drastic in the least. My pediatrician from birth to 20 gave me a recommendation letter along with a copy of my growth chart showing obesity at a young age. It would be drastic if we waited another 10 or 15 years and packed on another 50+!!

[bbbanded 70]

Part of the pre approval requirements was a psych eval, when I got denied one of their reasons was because the evaluation was border line. Now, I know it may make me sound crazy being bothered by it, but I mean come on! I was so offended, and slightly hurt.

[KAllison =) 20]

Right?.. I couldn't imagine what I would look like if I continued at this weight and had kids.. Then my insurance company would have some serious problems.. Not to mention I've tried every diet in the book.. I've had a psych eval too.. Which I didn't understand.. They asked me about my parents.. Lol what do my parents have to do with me having lap band surgery.. The insurance company is just wasting all this money covering all of these non sense appointments lol

[KAllison =) 20]

Bb banded.. Did you get approved or are you still fighting with them?

[bbbanded 70]

Thats exactly what I said, but I won't complain because at the end of the day, they kind lose either way.

[bbbanded 70]

I'm still fighting. They changed a few things though, they have me on a 1500 cal diet, with excersize 3 hours a week. All of that is simple no complaints, but I also have to document anything I eat. **insanely time consuming**. And I can't gain anything, I think I made a mistake losing 6 lbs two weeks ago though haha. MY new date is 5/11/12. Crossing my fingers!

[annagom@msn.com 2]

Well don't feel bad good things come to those who wait those people that work with the insurance companies are real good at helping with getting it all taken care of. I went thru all of it and I am two times your ages.

[KAllison =) 20]

Haha.. Yah I have to lose eleven pounds in two Weeks.. for them to approve it and for me to be able to keep my original surgery date.. Which is March 28th.. That's the only thing theyre waiting for lol.. _good luck_We can do it!! =)

[Sojourner 2,446]

Try not to "personalize" comments by the insurance company personnel...I have found that many such "professionals" are really ageny supp;ied with a minimum of training in the field.

I had to loose 20 lbs just to get scheduled for surgery...which I did (amazing what you can accomplish when you are motivated!). I was fortunate to have a primary care physician who is very experienced and knowledgable about the surgery, so I was approved with only one letter. My co-morbidities are what made the difference in my case.

Good luck...and keep your focus on the prise of better health!

[annagom@msn.com 2]

I had one hospital that did not even bother to call me on a gastric bypass and after being banded on jan. 27th 2012 I was happy to say thank goodness they did not call me. I have two insurance companies and one sucks it will not pay for anything I just have it because my work pays for it but it is truly a waste of monies and time my husbands paid for my banding less my copayment buti had to have the testing of everything found out had type II other medical issues.

[MandaC 9]

My surgeons office submitted my paperwork online but since I was using a photo for my 2009 records it was denied. So they turn around and mailed my paperwork. I called ins today to inquire about the status and the lady tells me and I quote "I'm not suppose to tell you this but since they denied it the first time they will prob deny it the second time, but I'm not suppose to tell you that" my heart sunk!! Why would you tell someone that??! I'm praying she is wrong!

[Papillon Princess 13]

Don't take anything insurance says negatively...they want YOU to work for it and wiggle your way around their guidelines. If you are dedicated and meet the criteria, you will be approved. I had to go through a 6 month diet and 10 lb weight loss. I was so upset when I found out about the 6 months but instead of getting upset about it, I used that as a time to educate and prepare myself for the band. Research more about your insurance and about the band. Use this time to your advantage and you will get there.

I was 22 when I started my 6 month diet and had just turned 23 a month before my lapband surgery. My BMI was slightly over 41 and I had no comorbidities. Don't let anyone get you down! Just let them be your motivation and show them that you really want this AND that you can do it! You'll get there!

[honk 780]

I don't know if their comment was that bad. I think either they did'nt read your file very well or the doctor did not send the right documentation. If someone was a normal weight for 22 years and then gained a lot of weight in one year going immediately to WLS to me seems premature. The person may have a physical illness that is causing them to gain weight; or there may be a mental health issue behind their over eating.

Someone who has been overweight their entire life wouldn't be just jumping into WLS. By 23 I'd lost over 100 pounds TWICE. I wish the band had been available when I was that age.

[kvr1977 28]

My surgeons office submitted my paperwork online but since I was using a photo for my 2009 records it was denied. So they turn around and mailed my paperwork. I called ins today to inquire about the status and the lady tells me and I quote "I'm not suppose to tell you this but since they denied it the first time they will prob deny it the second time' date=' but I'm not suppose to tell you that" my heart sunk!! Why would you tell someone that??! I'm praying she is wrong![/quote']

Manda, if you don't mind my asking.... What insurance do you have? I was also told that I may have to submit a photo for 2009 along with a personal letter stating why I was overweight and why I didn't see a doctor that year. - Kelly