INSURANCE EMERGENCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My surgery is 8/26/05. I have had all my pre-admission tests completed. Had letters done from nutritionist, psych eval and PCP. Sent a 5 page request for surgery letter with diet background and backup with cancelled checks and bank statements. Also, sent a letter from my LCSW who specializes in compulsive overeating...worked with her for the past 5 years. Have documents from personal trainer documenting work-outs 2-3 x's per week. They are not authorizing due to no MD supervised 6 month diet. I have had the best experts working with me for the last 4-5 years. Stayed at a 3 week residential institute for weight loss. I have a family member flying in to help with my dogs and recuperation on Wednesday. I have only this specific time off from work and cannot change it at the last minute. HELP>>>HOW CAN I GET THEM TO APPROVE MY SURGERY FOR THIDS COMING FRIDAY!!!! The surgeons office is as shocked as I am that they want more info than I have given them.

What insurance company do you have? I would not get hopes up that they will change their minds this soon. You have to go through the appeals process. This 6month md supervised diet is what a lot of insurance companies are making people go through before they approve. If I were you I would start the diet now with your primary care doctor AND MAKE SURE THEY DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT so your insurance can't say there is not enough information which is what happened to me. While you are on this 6month diet (which will go fast) you can try appealing. Maybe ask your primary care doctor to write a letter stating that he feels you need the surgery. I'm so sorry I couldn't give you good news. I have been through this 2 years ago with Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL I was denied 3 times by them.

I am so sorry to hear this has happened to you! My thinking is that unless your LCSW is a physician or a licensed registered nutritionist, OR, your nutrionist's or PCP's info was not gathered for 6 consecutive months, your insurance may deny you. If you're PCP or nutritionist has a relatively recent 6 month history for you which is during the same time as your weight loss attempt, that may be what they are looking for. I know this is a blow, but I agree with the previous poster - start a new supervised diet now and document like crazy. Those 6 months will go quickly. Keep your head up . Michelle