Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Insurance Co. requires 6 months of documented medically supervised wght loss plan



Recommended Posts

Apparently, even though I've had 6 months of diet/exercise/weight loss drugs from my PCP, my insurance company wants yet another 4! Uhm - that's not what their qualifications say! AND its going to put me into next year, which means I have to meet my deductable again. I am really so not happy about this. Especially since with all the pre requisite stuff that I already met, the surgery center and I were both looking at a mid-october date for surgery :waytogo:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Apparently, even though I've had 6 months of diet/exercise/weight loss drugs from my PCP, my insurance company wants yet another 4! Uhm - that's not what their qualifications say! AND its going to put me into next year, which means I have to meet my deductable again. I am really so not happy about this. Especially since with all the pre requisite stuff that I already met, the surgery center and I were both looking at a mid-october date for surgery :eek:

If I were you, I'd appeal that in a heartbeat. As long as you can document that you have fulfilled their written policy, they should have to approve you. If you have trouble, it might be worth contacting Obesity Law and Advocacy Center For a few hundred dollars you may be able to save yourself fulfilling a big deductible.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

<p>I agree with faithmd. If you did exactly what's written in their medical policy, there is no need for 4 more months. I would review the policy and appeal!</p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm waiting to hear - my patient advocate was going to recheck on the issue - hopefully it was just something overlooked. If not, I'll appeal.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Donna, did you have to do the psych evaluation? I did mine two days ago. The psychologist could not stop saying the "f" word or talking about himself. I am anxiously waiting to see if I "qualify" for the surgery according to him. So, right now, my life and health lie in the hands of a man that can't stop saying the "f" word!!! Talk about depressing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Freebird, yes, I had to do the psych eval and a nutrition eval. Hmmmm, my psychologist didn't use the F word once - wonder if I missed something??? *smile* Did you spend the whole hour talking about his problems? Don't worry - he probably can't remember if he thought he should approve you or not so he'll just approve you! ;) Seriously, I was worried a bit about mine but I just answered her as best I could and at the end of my session she told me she was approving me. He has probably already sent his approval to your dr. You have a couple more months of the 6 month diet? Has your surgery dr. already given you a surgery date?

Donna

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

that is some garbage. I think that is a ploy so they can discourage up from going through with it. All the more reason to do it and tell them to kiss you a$$! My insurance company wont even pay for the surgery, so i'm struggling with that! Keep going I know it seems like a long time, but hey at least they will pay for it! Best wishes!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

that is some garbage. I think that is a ploy so they can discourage up from going through with it. All the more reason to do it and tell them to kiss you a$$! My insurance company wont even pay for the surgery, so i'm struggling with that! Keep going I know it seems like a long time, but hey at least they will pay for it! Best wishes!

I think its their way of ensuring that you're really determined to do it. If you'll sit there through all that, then you're ready for the next challenge that the surgery will bring you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am so glad I found this thread! I am also waiting my six months, hoping to have surgery in Janurary or February. I am just trying to be as patient as possible. I have been heavy for so long I guess a few more months wont make that much difference. I am lightly dieting I guess you would say. Just biding my time and trying to not go below 40 bmi. Good luck to all of you too!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just an FYI, I had BC of Cali and they required the 6 month thing also. My dr. said that she had documented at every visit that I was doing a weight watchers type program. The fact that she did that saved me from having to wait. We simply sent in the progress notes from my visits and that was sufficient. Basically, at every check-up, she would say that I was overweight and needed to lose weight and I'd say, "Uh yeah...I know...I'm doing weight watchers (or whatever the diet of the month was)" She just wrote down a few notes about that and it was sufficient for Blue Cross.

Just a thought.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hope i can get a cool doctor like that. Right now i'm still trying to figure out if my insurance policy excludes bariatric surgery, I'm gotten 2 different answers.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

hello all,

i am going to the doctors today this is the end of my 4th month. i have been losing weight each month but now i need to gain some back because i don't want to go below 40 on the bmi. i can't win....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They're checkin into whether or not what my doctor has done with me is sufficient - my advocate (she finally got ahold of me) said it SHOULD be - I'm gathering all my medical records from the last 5 years. Its not easy being in a different state and timezone from most of your medical records. The doctors offices have been pretty cool about it though. The hospital back home said they'd have them to me in a week - they keep all the records for the doctors that no longer practice as well as the Urgent Care/Care Now walk in places - which will be my best bet for 2 of the years. :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm still doing research. This whole insurance thing is pathetic! 6 mo???

I've been struggeling for years. Then if you don't QUALIFY the first time around, you go another 6 mo???? This is CRAZY!!! I am dying here!!!

LITERALLY!!! I think I'll save my money and go to Mexico. I could probably save the money faster and easier than all that RIGGA-MORRAR!

I have been researching a DR and Hospital in Mexico for a while, and it seems to be the way for me. Good Luck everyone!!!

:cool:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×