Starting out finally

I just got off the phone with my new insurance and I can't believe I heard them right they do cover it. I still can't believe they said it. I wanted to start down the long road last janurary but was stopped by an exclusion. Now with the new insurance its like a dream come true. Have a question. Need 6 months medically documented weight loss program. Does this have to be a doctor? Can it be a nutritionist or such like. When I went to my pcp last year about this he wanted to do tests and things before he started documenting my weight loss program. So I was thinking of going to someone totally different for the program and not say anything about the surgery. I still can't believe it! From the time you started the 6 months to the surgery how long did it take. Could I really plan on having the surgery the same month that I am approved? that would make it around July. I still can't believe they said yes they do cover it. I am in total disbelief. Robin

Robin, I think most insurance companies want a doctor supervised diet attempt. Mine did. You would have to check with yours to be sure. I would tell whichever doctor you choose that you want to have wls. That way they will know to be very specific in their notes. My insurance wanted documentation that we discussed diet AND exercise each month. And if they want six monthly visits, make sure you don't miss a one. Some insurances will make you start over, I've heard here on OH. Most people seem to say the more documentation you can have to justify with the insurance the better. You might want copies of your records of co-morbidities, if you have any. You might want to go to a diet journal website like fitday.com. It's free, too. I used fitday and printed off each day's journal that showed what I ate, what I exercised, etc. That was extra documentation. I was all ready for the insurance. Do you want to hear the irony? My surgeon sent in her paperwork before I knew she had. She didn't have my documentation. I hadn't finished the 6 months diet either, and the insurance still approved my surgery! Go figure. Linda Vicory

Hi Robin! You might check out my profile. I had a PCP who was very supportive of WLS and wrote me an excellent letter of recommendation. The insurance didn't even need to see my medical records to approve me. Perhaps if you could get your PCP to write you a letter similair to mine you'll be in luck. Getting surgery in the same month you are approved is rare but can happen. There is lots of testing and classes to be scheduled between approval and surgery. On another note. I grew up in Plainfield and my parents still live there. My best friend just had a baby and her name is Regan as well! Sam

Robin- Congrats on the good news. I wanted to let you know that when I called my insurance company they told me I also needed 6 months medically supervised WL. Well, I was in no big hurry so I started seeing my doc monthly and decided to go ahead and start the process at St. V's. Well, since I had all my stuff from St. V's I went ahead and submitted it thinking that atleast I would know exactly what my insurance needed after they denied the approval request. I was afraid I would wait the 6 months then find out I was supposed to be doing something else. Anyway, much to my shock, they approved it in less than a week and I am scheduled for my surgery th 17th. My 6 months supervised WL attempt was not going to be over until February but for some reason, they waived it and approved it with no problem. Just an FYI. Good luck! Belle