Positive in 2005-Insurance Problems-Please, anyone help.

Hi- I am a 38 yr old women who has met with a surgeon about having gastric surgery. The Dr. was great help along with staff. My problem is my local Dr. wrote for me a letter in support to bc/bs of NE. However, in his letter, he stated that he has not had me on a weight loss program, but knows I have been struggling with obesity since I was a child. I also have thyroid problems, hypertension and problems with breathing at night. 2 yrs.ago I started going to a foot Dr.because of all the weight I was carrying was causing problems. I guess what I need is support and to see what you think of my goal for 2005. I would like to get my foot dr,my physical therepist, my chiropatric dr.and my massage therepist to all write letters in my support. They have known me for 20+ years,and know I stuggle with weight. Do you think that might work versus my first route I took with just a letter from me and my local DR.? I have BC/BS which requires pre-authrization, I struggle with daily issues,but was denied because I have not tried a weight loss plan for a total of 2yrs with my dr.!! I have tryed weight loss for 25years!!! I know if I do not get the help I need, I will cont. to be another statistic. Please, anyone, help. Thanks-Michele

Michele, The more information that you provid that you provide the better. If you have dieted on you own document it and send that in. All the letters of support and recommendation that you have, in my opinion the better off that you will be. The more information that you have in support of the surgery the less that they can say no. Nick

I gave a copy of a letter from my chiropractor to my surgeon and I even made a copy of my "Weigh****chers" pin that I scanned on my computer. I also had BC/BS thru my work and it was a good thing I had the surgery in 2004 becuz they just informed us at the end of last year that the company was putting it in the policy that they were not covering WLS in 2005. BC/BS likes everything documented so if you have any records of dieting or any thing like you said about going to a foot dr etc. Also you need to have a sleep apnea test if your not breathing right at night. Everything you can turn in to them including pictures of yourself!! could help. Good luck it seems insurance companies are making it harder and harder for people to get the surgery and many people need it...... Sue