I can't stop worrying!

After talking with my insurance company a few weeks ago I found out that one of the requirements for surgery is a 6 month physician-supervised diet. It must document all of the following at EACH visit with the dr. : *Vital signs including weight *Current dietary program *Physical activity (i.e., exercise program) *Behavioral interventions to reinforce healthy eating and exercise habits *Consideration of pharmacotherapy with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved weight-loss drugs, if appropriate. So I began seeing my PCP for this and gave him the above information that needed to be documented. But then after contacting CMMC I was told that they offered a physician supervised diet, so I thought, GREAT! They will surely know what needs to be documented and I'll make sure to have it all right with the insurance company. So tonight I went tot he surgery seminar and stayed for the diet seminar afterwards. I wasn't aware its the optifast diet and costs over $3000! YIKES There is no way we can afford that no matter how badly I might want it. It might as well be $30,000. I cannot afford to finance it either. So, its definitely out. But now I am filled with doubts about my PCP being able to properly document every aspect that Cigna wants. What does he do for behavioral interventions? Just make note of what I tell him I am doing? What if all I am doing for exercise is walking around my neighborhood since I can't afford a gym membership. I am so worried that I will go through this 6 months and then find out at the end that my Dr. didn't document something correctly and then have to do it all over again! I tried to get approval 3 years ago when I was covered by BCBS of AL. They wanted 3 12-week diets and denied me based on that. I soon got pregnant and haven't pursued it again since then. So, I'm trying to do it right this time and do the diet that I know Cigna will require beforehand. I just can't stop worrying that I will get denied on a technicality! Sorry for the long post, I just needed to vent my frustrations and there is no one else to talk to about this. April

April, don't worry so much. Is your PCP all for you having the surgery? If so, then I'm sure he'll help you get where you need to be. Also, remember, I'm sure you're not the only one that he has had to do this for. Just think positive and help your PCP out as much as you can. Keep your own notes as well. If he wants you to have this surgery, then I'm sure he'll go the extra mile to make sure everything is accurate. Karine