The approval process

I'm at the beginning to the process. Going to an info session tonight. However I was wondering if the approval process is pretty standardized. Like should I expect to do a certain battery of test. I've been reading the different post and it seems some people have to provide information from years ago and show all their weight loss efforts and some don't. Does it have to do with whether or not you have a high bmi and comorbidities or is it based on your insurer? Thanks for answering a newbies questions.

It's primarily based on your insurer.  Some of us had to provide 5 years of weight history, do a six month documented diet and exercise program, and a whole lot of tests.  Others did not have to do that.  I would say that the 5 year history and most of the tests are fairly standardized.  Some of the other stuff i**** and miss.  You'll probably have several blood tests, and ekg, a psych eval, and maybe a sleep apnea test.  Those are fairly common from what I read.  The best thing you can do is call your insurance tomorrow and ask them what their requirements are.  Usually they're helpful. Each insurer, and doctor, is slightly different on BMI and co-morbidities.  However, most require you to have a BMI of 35 with co-morbidities, or over 40 without.  You must be at least 100 pounds over weight.  Some doctors have an upper limit on BMI and if you go over that they require you to lose weight first to get under, 60 is often a number that you have to be under.  Not all doctors turn down high BMIs though, you just have to search if you have that issue. Hope some of that helped. Good luck. Ellen

Thank you for the information. It gives me a place to start.

Ellen said it best!! every insurance company is different. I just finished the pre-op testing and I did not have to do a five year weight history or a six month supervised diet. I did have to do some tests that others did not. It took me one month to get all my testing done and it is a LOT to do but I feel totally worth it in the end!!! Good luck to you!!!!!!!!!!!


Darcie

Darcie, Can I ask who your insurance carrier is?

I have Tricare Prime, hubby is active duty military,

Darcie

Ellen's reply....