Weird BMI-I'm really NOT that tall!/HP

HI folks-I appreciate all of the information here and am encouraged by your stories.  I'm going to an informational meeting at Unity this week and anxious to get the journey underway.  My concern is maybe an odd one but I'm guessing some of you can relate...  You know how we all wanted to fit into those cookie cutter weight charts that the insurance companies would publish before BMI became the gold standard?  Funny how the taller I was the easier it was to fit my weight into the "average" section.      Whenever asked, I have continued to provide my old high school basketball height that was obtained by standing very, very tall with heels off the floor against the wall while wearing  thick soled basketball shoes.   At the time, it seemed like no big deal, but now that I am hoping for Health Partners to approve my procedure, I am faced with years of documentation in my medical chart that says that I am actually a whole 2 inches taller that I really am!!!  This in turn translates to past BMI's less than 40 using the height that is everywhere in my medical records.  In this day of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) it's not like they can just "error" it out.  I am a nurse who uses EMR and I know that even if it is corrected/changed, the original is never gone and is there for all to see.  (There are many reasons for this-mainly legal-that make perfect sense.)   Do any of you know how and if this may affect Health Partners decision whether to approve my WLS?  I am assuming they will want all of my old records and will look at past BMI's instead of just weights...Will HP allow my surgeon to accurately measure my height and weight and go with that BMI?  Will HP think I am trying to pull a "fast one" on them if I suddenly am 2 inches shorter than previously documented.   I appreciate any experiences or information you can provide!

I can't imagine the insurance co will exam old medical records. My surgeon's height measurement is a full 1" shorter than I've every been. [I think it does not measure accurately.]

The PA and nurses told me that the insurance co goes by the measurements taken at your first app't. I know this because at the introductory meeting, we were told we had to lose 10# prior to surgery. So I immediately began losing wgt, but it didn't 'count' because they use the measurements from the 1st visit. Am I making any sense at all??!!

Good luck and God's blessings as you begin your journey!
Bulldog

Bulldog, that makes PERFECT sense. That was my experience, too.
The insurance company will only look at the figures your doc sends in to get the approval for the surgery. I doubt it will be any problem at all!
Good luck, Forgetmenot67, and keep us posted!

Seriously?  I am really surprised they don't request medical records from my PCP.  That said,  that is really a relief (and thank you by the way for your prompt reply-I was psyching myself out over this many years' long farce I had perpetuated about my height).   I guess I need to go to the informational meeting before I jump the gun and assume I will not be approved.  I just don't have good documentation to create an accurate picture of my weight loss struggles as I have shared little with my physician.  I am an RN and I have a hard time coming forward to other health professionals with my perceived failures at weight loss.  I have been reading about having to show proof of other previous weight loss attempts and I am wondering how I am going to do that?  I have spent thousands of dollars over the years on Weigh****chers, Jenny Craig, Phentermine clinics, health clubs, etc... but never kept any proof of these attempts.  Thanks again so much for your reply and I appreciate the valuable information I am getting here!  Best of luck to you and continued success on your journey!

 Some insurance companies may need past documentation. Mine didn't. What you measure in the doctor's office on your first official visit is what counts. Height and weight both. And remember, you can always claim age shrinkage if anyone challenges you on your height. You know, you used to be tall but now you've lost some height because you're SO OLD.

Seriously, I'm betting your official starting measurements on your first official doctor visit is what will count.

  tee hee....  Thanks Wert-that made me laugh out loud because right now I do feel "SO OLD".  I just finished 3 12 hour shifts over the weekend and my knees and hips are screaming!  I'm glad to hear that my lack of full disclosure at my PCP may not be the nail in the coffin I thought it would be.  I was concerned I would have some 'splainin' to do about the discrepancy in height on my medical records and it would look suspicious.  Best of luck on your continued weight loss journey and congratulations on your weight loss to date!  You all are very inspiring to me!

Congratulations to you for scheduling the initial informational meeting. That's the first step, then you'll be off to the races! Keep us posted on your journey.

Again, congratulations on taking the first step. It can be the hardest. Good for you. 

 I was with HP, and my surgeon is with Allina. there is so little communications between the two, there is NO computer link, I have to bring or forward ALL info from my PCP to the WLS surgeon if I want it there. When I had my initial diagnosis, HP actually sent their own doctor over to the WLS office to give the insurance approval, which was different from the visit with the surgeon.

Thanks Paul for sharing your experience w/ HP and Congrats on your amazing weight loss!  I'm more optimistic to hear that my stretching of the truth in regard to me height won't come back to haunt me!