Weigh****chers?

I just left my very first doctors appointment, where I discussed the option of weight loss surgery and BCBS AL coverage.  He said I needed to join Weigh****chers and that would help me get the help from insurance.  Does anybody happen to know if I can do Weigh****chers ONLINE or do I have to go to meetings?  I'm asking b/c online is much less expensive.

I'm not sure what the requirement are but when I was going thru the process I had to have a doctor supervised weight loss. In most cases it's best to talk to your primary care doc about weight loss surgery and go once a month to build your documentation. The first visit won't could against the months meaning if your plan requires 6 months of supervision you'll go 7 times to see your doctor.

Have you looked at your policy to see what the requirements are?

Good luck!
Noel

Please DO NOT rely on your doctor for WLS insurance approval requirements!  They vary by company/plan--the only place to get reliable information for WLS requirements is from your insurance company-and get it all in writing.

I had mine with BCBS of AL.  I called and discussed the requirements and they referred me to a link that spelled it all out.  I used it as a checklist.  WW was NOT approved for the medically supervised 6 month diet.  I had to go to a physician and he had to fill out a specific form for each visit (the form was also on the website).

I followed it to the letter and approval was a breeze.

Kim

check this out directly from my policy:

3. Documentation must be present of participation in medically supervised weight loss program. For purposes of coverage, we (BCBS) recognize medical supervision of the diet and activity program by practicing MD's who are not bariatric surgeons, such as family practitioners, internists, and other primary care specialties (medically supervised weight loss or activity programs generally are not a covered benefit). Documentation provided by these health care providers will be recognized in the review process. At least

one attempt must occur during the one year prior to request for surgery or date of surgery. Documentation must support participation in the program for six consecutive months. The following criteria must be met for this participation:



Documentation of participation in a physician supervised program of nutrition and increased physical activity (including dietitian consultation, low calorie diet, increased physical activity and behavioral modification). Documentation of program participation must appear in the medical record no less than monthly for a period of 6 consecutive months by the attending physician. Documentation should include comments by the physician regarding patient progress or lack of progress. A letter does not meet this requirement. There must be medical records to document medically supervised weight loss attempts;

OR



Medical record documentation of a 6 consecutive month, nutrition-led weight loss program (Weigh****chers, LA Weight Loss, Jenny Craig, EatRight, etc.) with a minimum of 3 physician visits during that 6 month period documenting medical supervision, Not acceptable are self-directed programs such as joining a gym, Atkins’ diet, calorie counting, low fat, cutting back, internet programs, etc.

DAAAAAAAANNNNNGGGGGG.......

Best of luck to you.  The wait and effort will be worth it!

Leslie

WOW.....insurances are very different.  I had no idea people who needed this surgery has such a difficult time! 

I have Federal BC BS and I didn't have to have any documentation other than my own report of what I presented to the surgeon's office that I had tried in the past!
FED BCBS didn't require any type of wait time. 
I was approved in about 3 weeks!