2010 UHC SHBP requirements

AHI is the sleep apnea index.  I don't know much about it.  Someone here on the OH board helped me with finding the index.  I just had my report faxed to me from the sleep center last week.  I have high cholesterol, but because my doctor is monitoring it, rather than treating with meds, UHC nurse says it will NOT count as a comorbidity.

Do you talk to Jackie Janus frequently?  She seems to be good about returning my calls, but also seems to be strictly by the book (which I guess is good).  I just get the feeling that UHC HRA is tightening up their requirements for WLC this year as compared to what I have heard from some UHC HRA persons that had their surgery in 2009.  OR, as I said previously, I could just be paranoid about the insurance!

I am signed up for RNY and am very happy with my surgeon (Obesity Solutions, Dr Robert Richard, Gainesville, GA).  I have completed the psych exam and evaluation, education class, sleep study and 3 months each of dieting and group therapy.  It seems that time is going so S-L-O-W.....I am ready to get this done and get healthy and I'm tired of worrying about insurance, weight loss, weight gain, co-morbs, etc.  Are you using a doctor near Metter??

I see you live in Metter.  I used to stop there at the DQ on my drive from Savannah to Atlanta sometimes!  There's not much between Savannah and Macon otherwise (as you well know)!!!

I called her yesterday, because they sent me the wrong form for the 6 month weight loss requirement.  They sent me one for a 5 year proof of obesity, which I think other insurance plans require.  She called me back same day, and assured me it would not affect my ability to qualify for weight loss surgery.  I believe it was her that told me that I was not required to lose weight on the 6 month diet.  I don't know about the requirements being tighter this year as I just made up my mind this year to persure WLS.  I am looking to use Dr Chasen in Augusta.  They use Dr Connie Stapleton for their psych eval, and I will meet with her 4/7.  She has written a book on how to keep weight off after surgery.  I am going to read that.  You can go to her web site and watch her pre evaluation videos,  They are very informative, and you can read the first two chapters of her book online. 
I don't live in Metter, but that is my mailing address.There still isn't much between Savannah and Macon..... 
I was not too crazy about the 6 month thing at first, but I have decided to take advantage of every part of it and try to be as well prepared as I can possibly be so that I can be successful.  I would really like to get it over in a way, but in another way, I think it is smart to do it this way. 
 

HMMMMMM....I didn't get a form to report the 6 months monitored dieting.  I DO have a form to report the 6 months of group therapy.  Do I need to request a dieting form???

Again, it is so nice to be on the same page as someone else in this journey.  PLEASE keep in touch as you progess.  Feel freel to PM me anytime.  

Thanks for the info on Dr. Stapleton.  I will definitely check on the web site and consider the book.

Lots of luck to you.  By the way - - -- I agree that we can use the 6 month diet to learn new eating habits, how to weigh food, count calories, etc.  We might as well use it to our benefit - - - -even though in my case, I cannot afford to lose more than 5 lbs.

Andrea

It probably wouldn't hurt to ask for one.  I got the impression that it was not a requirement, but it helps to make sure that the doctor that is doing your diet submits the appropriate info and makes the approval process go smoother. 
Yes, it is nice to find someone with a similar situation insurance wise.  I am gonna have to watch to make sure I don't mess up my BMI either because I am also in the process of getting my hypothyroid condition corrected and I am starting to lose weight without too much effort right now.  I'm sure I won't go below 40 in 6 months time, but you never know.