Insurance coverage

Can anyone give advice on ways to get your insurance to cover this procedure? I have Medcost through ACS consulting and they are saying I have to have a 6 month doctor assisted diet. I have been dieting for years and nothing has worked. Now they are telling me I have to wait 6 more months? Any advice???

It is a bummer I know!  I had to do the 6 month dr. supervised diet as well with my insurance, CIGNA.  And I was soooo mad when I found that out. 

Now, the good news!  I think the six months has allowed me to do all the research I did, fully grasp this decision, and start making proactive decisions and preparations for my big day!!!

Yes, it seems like an eternity but what is six more months vs the time you have been living with your situation?

Keep your chin up and your eyes focused on the prize!!!!

Pam

I am still waiting on my surgery day--December 12th!

Thanks for the info and good luck on your surgery!!

It's a common requirement, so if you haven't done so yet. Schedule an appointment with your PCP immediately. Let them know that you want and need to do a medically supervised weight loss attempt to qualify for WLS surgery. Be sure that at each appointment you address and they document

-  your diet/nutrition plan i.e., joining weigh****chers or starting a high protien low/carb diet with a caloric intake limited to XXX calories, trying Meridia or whatever path you choose.

-  your exercise plan i.e., walking 30 mins a day 5 days a week or joining Curves and attending 3 times a week.

-  your attempts to modify your behavior, i.e, attending monthly support group meetings or weigh****chers meetings, or seeing a counselor to address weight related issues.

-  of course they also need to document your vitals ... height, weight, BP, etc...

If your attempt has all of these components, you are likely to not have a problem when it's time to submit to insurance. You can use this time to get all of your other tests done and to prepare yourself for your new life. Think of it as a time for laying the foundation for the new life you are setting out for yourself, instead of a roadblock. This will not waylay you, but will be part of your overall journey.

Generally, you don't have to 'lose' while on this program, but I found that I did and my  husband has as well.

Wishing you every success in this amazing, life-changing journey,

I too had to do the 6 month diet thing and was not happy about it.  But...... the good news is that it has gone quick and I have learned so much from the experience that I would not have done it any other way.  It has given me the chance to get on my vitamins and get use to the shakes with it not being a do or die situation and not only that but I have lost quite a few pounds to boot.  Jump in and good luck it will be over before you know it.


Leslie

One word of advice, JUST DO IT!  lol  We've said before, "The time is going to pass anyway.  Six months from now, do you want to look back and regret that you didn't spend that time progressing toward your surgery?"  Only you can decide that.    I have a very short attention span and want immediate results, so I know a 6 month doctor supervised diet would have been overwhelming for me.  I would have had to take it a day at a time, knowing I was progressing toward "the prize." 

A couple more words of advice.  The process from start to finish has taken almost 5 months for me.  What has helped to pass the time was attending as many local support groups I could find and becoming a very active part of this support forum.  I never dreamed I could make so many new, wonderful friends and be so intellectually armed for this new life I have ahead. 

Wishing you the very best in your decision!