what if BMI drops

Question ( I have php)   If I do the 12 week program through sparrow weight management in order to qualify for surgery (after initial pre approval) and my BMI drops below 40, will they then pull coverage?

It seems like it would be unfair, they want you to lose before surgery to help the body handle surgery, shrink liver, etc......but I'm just curious.

I wouldn't think they would pull coverage or approval.  Do you have any of the co-morbidities?  If so, they definitely wouldn't pull the coverage.  You don't have to even be at 40, if you have co-morbidities.
Good luck.
Jan

No co morbidities.....and I'm right at a 40 bmi.........with them saying either a doctor supervised program or 12 weeks through sparrow to get approved;  (and this is different than the 4 week course that sparrow mandates) I feel like they would say no to continuing with surgery if you dropped below 40.  After all, if I did it through my doctor and dropped below 40 I wouldnt qualify, right?

I feel like I can't win unless I put on another 20 pounds so that I wouldn't lose too much during the 12 weeks... but obviously that would be really unhealthy and not too ethical...


? 
I'm considering self pay through Great Lakes...but worried about what if something went wrong..the self pay would have already taken all my resources. I couldn't afford another surgery to fix a band slip.

Hi I am just courious. Have you looked into other hospitals? 

I don't know your situation, but I know that not every hospital requires the sames things.

I did not have to do all of that stuff (12 week plan and 4 weeks with Sparrows program.)   I went to the Forest Hill BC in Ypisilanti, MI.   

I was 42% and I lost 15 lbs before surgury just with diet and exercise...not by any manditory class or weight loss programs.  On my surgery day I was 39.9% and Blue Cross paid for my surgury any way! 

I would think they use the beginning weight when they submit your paperwork so that would be the one that the approval is on, the insurance company wouldn't track the weigh loss.

I have a different insurance, but after getting the initial approval, my BMI did dip below 40.  My doctor's office said don't worry, it is the initial BMI that is used, and once you get the approval you are ok.  My understanding is, they won't penalize you for losing weight when that is what they expect you to do. 

My surgeon said it was the initial BMI. Good thing since I started at 35.6 with tons of comorbidities and am down under 35 now. I worried about that a lot till I got the answer.

I may have mis communicated.   I would have to take the 12 weeks BEFORE php would approve me;  I was told today by a different weight loss center (just called a friend for advice there) that if it drops, they do not cover surgery and will not approve coverage for surgery.

Holy cow! That is terrible. Punishing you for doing what you need to do. What do they want, for you to gain enough that no matter how much you lose during that time your BMI will still keep you eligible?
I would call your ins. company for a clear answer, also the insurance person at your wls. Don't take no for an answer. Appeal if you have to. Just don't quit! God Bless
Sue

The guy I spoke with at php was kind of a turkey. He said "you'll have to talk with Sparrow Weight Loss about that"...and wouldnt give me any clear answers.  I'm beginning to understand its all just a lot of hoops you have to jump through but I am willing to do what I need to at this point.