Losing too much weight before revision?

[banded213 7]

I currently have the band and my insurance will cover a revision to sleeve after a 6 MONTH DIET. I'm 5'1 and 188lbs BMI 35.5 if I actually follow the diet and lose weight could the insurance say my BMI is too low? Or does it not matter since it's a revision? I'll ask at my next appt but wondering if anyone has experience.

[ribearty 544]

It depends on your insurance. I have UHC and they used my weight from my first visit with the doctor and nutritionist. The coordinator at the insurance company told me they won't penalize you for losing weight before the surgery during the six month medically supervised diet.

I was a revision also and still had to meet my ins. co. criteria. I had some tests that showed my band was causing problems so my insurance company approved me early and did not require me to complete the full six month medically supervised diet.

Good luck to you, and hope you get a date soon for your surgery.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

BCBS goes by your initial weight! Check with your company and good luck!

[nursebeccarn 26]

Ok so I work for a Major Health Insurance company and I will be the first to tell you to call your insurance company's bariatric department and ask them that question and get the answer in writing. Write down WHO you speak with the date and the time. A little known secret outside of the insurance world is that it is RARE for an insurance company to deny a REVISION of any type. However, benefit requirements and eligibility vary depending on your plan. I can tell you from experience that not all BCBS plans are umbrella'd under than same eligibility... so make sure you ASK them DIRECTLY. Good luck to you!

[banded213 7]

I will call my insurance company tomorrow I have Coastwise PPO thru Blue Shield. What's BCBS?

[ribearty 544]

Blue Cross Blue Shield. You can have the same insurance as someone else but different coverage. Coverage is established by the contract the employer agreed to with the insurance company. I have a friend who also has United Health Care but she had different requirements for her surgery than I did because we have different employers with different coverage and criteria.