I am just starting my journey to a new life

[GramaLisa 0]

Hi, my name is Lisa and I have just started my journey to a new and better life. I went to a short seminar and saw a doctor. My BMI is 37 but I may be able to qualify if they can find some co-morbidities. I called my insurance company today, BXBS Federal Employee Program, with the Standard Option. The woman I talked to was unable to clarify co-morbidities for me. The best she could come up with was diabetes, which I don't have, not yet anyway. My father and his brother both had diabetes, as did my mother's father. Both of my mom's parents had hypertension and now my mother has it. I am afraid that eventually I will come down with both diabetes and hypertension if I continue to be overweight. My mother is constantly on diet such as Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. She loses weight but gains it back right away. I tried Atkins a few years ago, lost 30 pounds, then gained it back.

Is there anyone out there who has my type of insurance? Any experiences to share with me? I have GERD and arthritis in my spine and hips but that's about all I can come up with for co-morbidities.

Thanks for any and all help!!! Lisa

[Jodi_620 37]

I don't have the same insurance but here are some more comorbity conditions that may be accepted:

Cardiovascular Disease (High cholesterol, hardening of the arteries or other heart problems)

Diabetes

Hypertension (High Blood pressure)

sleep Apnea

GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

Degenerative Disk Problems in the back

Degenerative joint problems(hips,knees, ankles and feet)

[GramaLisa 0]

Hi Jodi and thanks for the information. This website is SO GREAT for me! I have been reading post after post after post. I called Julian, the person who is trying to get me approved for surgery right after I posted and he said it is looking good for me because I have some of the comorbities necessary for the surgery. The doctor didn't think I would be approved but Julian thinks I will be. Here's my list of comorbidities

High cholesterol

Degenerative Disk Disease with joint facet arthritis

Arthritis in my hips

Stress incontinence

GERD

I have all of that and my doctor didn't think my BMI of 37 would qualify me! Thanks again!!! Lisa

[Jodi_620 37]

You are welcome Lisa...looking at your list, things look pretty good for insurance approval. Best of luck!

[CPSimonton 0]

I have bcbs federal basic and I spoke to the bariatric nurse with bcbs. She said that anyone with a bmi over 40 (which was me) is approved without having to do anything else. If it is below you need two of the comorbidities which I believe you have based on what you said. Interesting she also told me that you are not required to have a psych evaluation or anything else that everyone else normally has to have because the contract that was done between the federal govt and them. Also, my surgery was approved in two days after it was sent in. My surgeon wanted me to have the psych consult and a letter from my primary care physician clearing me for surgery so I did that and bcbs paid for it.