Weight from OB-GYN ok for insurance?

Good Morning Everyone!
This is my first time on this board, and I must say, it makes for some interesting reading this morning!

I am currently in the process of all of my pre-op requirements to have Lap-Band done my Dr. Greene before the end of the year.  I am getting ready to submit my packet to United Health and have a question . . .

For the past 4 years, I have either been pregnant, just had a baby, or trying to get pregnant.  I now have two wonderful sons and am ready to start working on my weight (BMI 49).  Here is my problem.  I do not have 6 months of consecutive visits with my PCP, although he does fully support the procedure (he has been my doc since I was 11, and I was heavy then!) He has written me a wonderful letter.  Dr. Greene's Insurance specialist has suggested that I submit 5 consecutive years of doctor's notes which indicate my weight, to prove that I have been morbidly obese for those 5 years.  Since I was working so closely with my OB, she took care of me for the most part for all of my medical needs for the past 5 years.  She has my weight noted over and over again, for routine visits, visits to discuss plans to get pregnant, visits from when I was pregnant, and from afterwards. 

In anyone's experience, have notes from an OB-Gyn been acceptable? 

Thanks so much for your time and help! 
Heather

Another Heather!  hahaha  ;-) (Our board is pretty much 25% Heather and 25% Terri/Theresa)  :-)

First, a quick apology that your introduction to the MD has been dramatic to say the least.  I have no idea what it's all about and don't really care... but I will tell you that if you're looking for answers, you will find them here, even if you have to look beyond the fray.  So, stick around.  :-)

My opinion on your question is that there is never too much documentation in your package.  If you feel that the documentation from your OB/GYN would be helpful, then go ahead and submit it with your packet.  On the other hand, I only see my PCP about twice a year, if that.  My insurance company accepted my physician's records, whi*****luded my weight.  We're pretty fortunate in Maryland, in that most insurance companies are now very WLS-friendly (RNY and Lap Band) because of recent legislation.  Wiht a BMI of 49 (mine was 46 or 47 when I had my surgery), you should fly throught the approval process for Lap Band. 

Good luck and keep us posted.

Welcome to the MD Board from ONE of the Heathers.  LOL!

I actually have Aetna and only had to provide proof of BMI over 40 for the past two years (fortunately for me that was a change to this years rules).  In late 2006 my PCP went from paper to electronic records and lost about 14 months worth of documentation somehow.  Therefore the only thing that I did have was my OB-GYN records.  That was acceptable to them.  If United Health is similar, the weight documentation for the past 5 years shouldn't need to come from just your PCP, but any other doctor you visited where your weight was recorded.  I don't think there is any getting around the 6 consecutive months of medically supervised weight loss, however.

Good Luck, keep us posted, and ask any questions.

Heather L.

Hi Heather,

Welcome to the MD forum.  Like Heather said if you get past the fray you will definitely get answers and good support here.  I must say that there is always going to be clashes in any public forum, MD forum is not the only one that goes through this every so often. So please don't let that stop you from getting the answers you need.

All insurances have different requirements, what I do suggest is that your call your insurance carrier and ask them if the OB notes are acceptable. 

I wish you all the best in your journey.