6-months of diet supervision

I havne't posted here in awhile, so I thought I would check in. My insurance just started last week and I'm waiting on my cards in the mail. How many of you have been told that you had to wait 6 months with medically monitored diet before they will give the surgery? I'm very concerned about that one. Especially since my insurance doesn't cover weight loss programs. It doesn't exclude surgery though. I have United HealthCare. Thanks so much! Becky

Becky, My insurance requires a six month physician monitored diet-exercise program before I can submit for approval. My PCP is monitoring me monthly and I have to keep a food journal and exercise log but my ins insisted I go to St. John's to New Images to do the exercise and it has been a good thing. They have weekly classes and I met with an exercise physiologist and a nutritionist. I go three times a week to exercise and I can see improvement already. I really dreaded it but my walking stamina is better and my arthritic knee doesn't click nearly as bad. So far I haven't had to pay anything but my physician's copayment but I'm expecting that eventually I'll get billed $50 for the exercise physiologist. I have diabetes and hypertension so my Dr. prescribed this treatment/exercise/diet for me so perhaps they'll cover some of it. I know they won't cover Weigh****chers or anything like that. See if you can't get your MD to handle it for you. I just figure it is part of the cost of having the surgery covered by my ins and if I have to pay something, I'll find a way. Glad you're on your journey and do keep posting. You'll love and be loved by the people on this board. Lana