Personal Letter to Insurance

I've been working on my personal letter to my insurance company for about 2 weeks now. My doctor said there's no "right or wrong" way to write it. But I'm just wondering, just how personal should you get? How do you make it sound heartfelt without sounding like "woe is me"?  I'd post it here, but I doubt you want to hear my life story! haha

I am sorry I have no advice I never had to write one. My insurance didn't require one. but maybe if you post in the insurance forum here on OH maybe someone can give you great advice. 
Good luck with everything.

Is the personal letter required by your insurance co? 
I would write it tailored to how you meet each of their medical necessity criteria.  For example list what BMI you have, which comorbidities you have, which (costly to insurance) meds you have to take, how the extra weight impacts your mobility, your energy level, your ability to work, your risk for other added (costly to insurance) comorbidities down the line.  Also I would detail how you met their requirement for failing to lose the weight in a 6 month or 3 month physician supervised diet and exercise program.  Good luck and I hope to hear you've received your approval very soon. 

Hi sweetie, a lot of the insurances ask for it, you just make a pro and con list, then make a positive out of the con ones lol, example, Tell them your reason #1 and then go from there on why you want this surgery if you need help pm me or call i will put my number in with reply when you do ok .

Hey Lisa!  I personally never had to write a letter to my insurance company, however, there was a Lady on the main forum that posted she had a letter and if anybody wanted to see it, that she would email it to them.  Well, to make a long story short, I emailed her and got the letter, just incase I every needed it.  Sooooooooooooooooo, please PM your email and I will forward it on to you.  I hope it helps ya out!

Teri

 
Hi, I wrote a letter however I don't think it did any good ...but just in case you want to use anything from mine ...help yourself ....i just got approved yesterday after 8 months.. For some reason the first letter of each line is cut off but you can get the gist of it ...

good luck...

February 13, 2008 Dear Insurance representative, I am a 52 year old morbidly obese wife and mother of two children. It is my dream to be able to go on bike rides, hikes, walks, even amusement park rides with my kids. Things the "normal" person takes for granted. When I walk from my car to my office, my heart is pounding and racing. I am so out of breath people stare. My lower back is so painful, I can not walk for long periods and have to stop and rest for a bit. In fact I always seem to be resting. Recently in the last 6 months I have also been having increased difficulty with my knees and going up and down stairs. I have also sought the treatment of a foot and ankle specialist at Mercy Medical center for a weight related ankle disorder.

I suffer from acid reflux disease, incontinence, high blood pressure (15 years), depression and shortness of breath (recently developed). Additionally both my good and bad cholesterol is high. It has been documented that all of these problems can be helped, if not cured, by losing weight. I have tried many, many diets.(more than anything you can imagine).  I have included my most recent diet attempts with Nutri – System and diet pills. Additionally over the last 30 years I have probably joined Weigh****chers and Diet Workshop at least 20 times. The most weight I was able to lose was 20 pounds. My BMI is 41 almost 42, that makes gastric bypass surgery a medical necessity.

I am very well educated in the area of Gastric Bypass Surgery as I have been researching it for months.   I have learned a tremendous amount and I know what this surgery is and what it will do for me and the quality of my life. That is why I want and need to have this surgery. After reviewing my family medical history, you will probably agree with me that to not have this surgery will surely lead to more severe medical problems in the future.

  It is my dream to ‘feel better’ and this surgery is more about feeling better than looking better for me. Of course I care about my appearance but with my high blood pressure and shortness of breath – good heath and an optimal lifestyle are my main objectives. 

        Here is my family medical history:

My grandmother on my mother's side died of a massive heart attack at age of 64 and my own mother died of congestive heart failure at the age of 63 also.  I have had high blood pressure for over 15 years as has my older brother and sister.   My father died at the age of 57 from complications related to liver failure.  Obesity runs on both sides of my family.

My PCP believes that this procedure is the right option for me. I also agree with her. I want this surgery. It will save my life, and give me back what life I have left.

Obesity is dangerous to health because of the associated increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes.
Surgical treatment is medically necessary because it is the only proven method of achieving long term weight control for the severely obese. Surgical treatment is not a cosmetic procedure. Surgical treatment of severe obesity does not involve the removal of adipose tissue (fat) by suction or excision. Bariatric surgery involves reducing the size of the gastric reservoir, with or without a degree of associated malabsorption.   Please approve my request for this surgery and allow me to regain a life of activity, wellness and optimal health.  

Hi Again, actually the first letter didn't get cut off ...it just looked that way to me when I previewed  it ....