Documentation of Non-Surgical Weight Loss Attempts

[careya123 260]

What qualifies as documentation of non-surgical weight loss attempts? I've done Weight Watchers, but it was so long ago that I don't have any records left. I guess my real queston is this: do they want documentation or do they want proof? I can write down the facts of when-where-how (documentation), but I'm afraid they'll want proof by a third party. I know I need to check with my insurance, but for everyone who has been through this--what was your experience? Be sure to list your insurance company.

[2goldengirl 2,076]

I can't speak for others, but I review requests for bariatric surgery as part of my job. Typically the documentation is included in two places: your psych eval, and your surgeon's note. Some surgeons even use a checklist with the more common diet programs out there. As part of the evaluation process, both the psychologist and the surgeon review previous attempts at weight loss. I actually wrote it all down for my doc in table format, along with how much I'd lost and how long it lasted. I did that as a useful exercise for myself, mainly, but it makes it easier for the surgeon to get a grasp of the big picture.

The only time you would need to provide proof is if your health plan requires documentation in a supervised weight-loss program for a specific period of time before you can be approved.

I hope this helps!

Edited January 28, 2016 by 2goldengirl

[careya123 260]

I can't speak for others, but I review requests for bariatric surgery as part of my job. Typically the documentation is included in two your psych eval, and your surgeon's note. Some surgeons even use a checklist with the more common diet programs out there. As part of the evaluation process, both the psychologist and the surgeon review previous attempts at weight loss. I actually wrote it all down for my doc in table format, along with how much I'd lost and how long it lasted. I did that as a useful, mainly, but it makes it easier for the surgeon to get a grasp of the big picture.

The only time you would need to provide proof is if your health plan requires documentation in a supervised weight-loss program for a specific period of time before you can be approved.

I hope this helps!

That helps a lot, thank you.

[dede0314 356]

Yeah, I didn't provide any additional documentation. The surgeon and nutritionist asked about my past attempts and it was in their notes that they sent to the insurance company.

[MsB7 64]

At my consultation I told the PA what I had already done over the last 18 years and she said ok well you still need to complete the 6month medically supervised weightloss program. I'm thinking that maybe she will submit all of this to insurance.

[wheezysmom 146]

They asked me about previous weight loss attempts and I told them. That was how that went lol. Good luck to you.

[Brittneysue12345 18]

Same question ! What do they want to hear? that u can lose weight but gain it back? or what lol i LOVE all food good and bad,,,, i can eat salads all day long,, but i have Portion Control issues.

[dede0314 356]

@@Brittneysue12345 Have you ever attempted to lose weight before? I would just tell them that. If not make it up lol.

[xochtlem 54]

I was in a medical weight loss program a year before starting this journey, so I just got a letter from that doc stating what went on during each visit, nutritional counseling, the phentermine doses, B12 shots, my weight loss, etc and submitted that to insurance with the other requirements.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

[2goldengirl 2,076]

What the insurer is looking for is a history of trying to control your weight, and repeated gains after losses. They don't want someone using WLS as a first resort.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[xochtlem 54]

I was in a medical weight loss program a year before starting this journey, so I just got a letter from that doc stating what went on during each visit, nutritional counseling, the phentermine doses, B12 shots, my weight loss, etc and submitted that to insurance with the other requirements.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App