6 month supervised diet question

[Amanda R 56]

I started (thought) my 6 month supervised diet Jan 21st, with my Doctor's office, but ended up seening the APN. I went back for the next appt, and the actual doctor isn't going to count that month since I didn't see him. Don't I have a choice? It is just 7 weigh ins I have to do for my insurance right? Do I have start it over just because he says I do?

[AmandaD 44]

I would think it should count as long as you weighed in and discussed weight loss. Those were the only requirements for mine. They had to document my weight and that we'd discussed diet and exercise.

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

I would think that's up to insurance. I'm a physician assistant and they always count my visits for weigh-in and dietary counseling....as long as the APN documented it right...

HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 255, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 234.8

[Amanda R 56]

The first visit, the APN weighed me, told me to keep track of my food and exercise and decide what my goals were and bring that with me the next visit.

I would assume that would count right?

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

The first visit' date=' the APN weighed me, told me to keep track of my food and exercise and decide what my goals were and bring that with me the next visit.

I would assume that would count right?[/quote']

I would think!!! I also always document that we had that discussion and give the patient some type of educational handout....just as more proof we had the discussion.

HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 255, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 234.8

[Amanda R 56]

Ok good lol. Because I thought it would get pushed back a month, and I already had it planned out to have it the tail end of summer. Does the doctor have to give me some type of clearance as far as the 6 month diet is concerned?

[Amanda R 56]

Also, how should the APN of documented it? Should I ask for a copy the next time I am in there?

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

Ok good lol. Because I thought it would get pushed back a month' date=' and I already had it planned out to have it the tail end of summer. Does the doctor have to give me some type of clearance as far as the 6 month diet is concerned?[/quote']

That's up to your surgeon or insurance. Around here (central Arkansas) the surgeon requests records from the PCP (me) we send em over and as long as there's 6 consecutive months documenting weight and that weight loss counseling/weight loss techniques were discussed, it's all fine. As far as documentation, there's nothing set in stone. But the office notes need to mention weight loss counseling or life style changes, etc, were discussed. I've seen cases where the patient came in to discuss this but the also have high blood pressure or depression or back pain, etc and that's the diagnosis that ended up on the chart instead of the obesity/weight loss stuff. If your provider knew you were there to establish for this it really should have been put in okay... It's when someone comes in for a blood pressure check-up then calls a month later and says 'oh by the way I want WLS I need six months of supervised weight loss...' That sometimes there's an issue.

I really don't think a doc has the right to say 'oh that visit doesn't count' just because he wants to.... Good luck!

HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 255, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 234.8