Where do you start?

I just changed insurers to BCBS PPO. Finally I am covered by a plan that covers the surgery. My question is where do I start? With my family physician? How do I find out what I will need to do? Can I contact the insurer and ask what the rules are? I've been following messages here and see where some people mention 6 months of physician supervised dieting. Is that true for all plans? I have a BMI of 40, high blood pressure, arthritis in knees and ankle. Do I have a shot at getting approved? Any guidance you can give will be greatly appreciated. Pam Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Contact your insurance company and find out what they require, then either go to a WLS info session or set up an appt with a particular surgeon (they all do things a little differently) and they can walk you thru their requirements/steps (testing, documentation, etc). Meet with your PCP and get their support. You will need lots of medical documentation and a recommendation letter from your PCP so their "buy in" is essential. It doesnt have to be in that particular order but those are the first basic steps, I started with the insurance company. One other point, call the insurance company more than once to confirm you get all the correct info, some reps know more than others in regards to WLS requirements. Good luck! Amy -104lbs.

Find a WLS seminar close to where you live. I called them for the September seminar (It was cancelled due to florida hurricanes) They sent me the information packet with all the things I needed to do. I did all my homework Phych eval, EGD, saw my PCP, diet history ect ect. I went to the Oct seminar, met with the surgeon one week later and have a date in November. Good Luck with your journey

Chris and Amy, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Pam Santa Rosa Beach

Try to hurry because I received a notice in mail saying that bcbs was not going to do anymore as of 2005. Do not take a no or they do not cover it. Be aggressive because they will do & tell you anything to make you stop. You go girl!