JUST WONDERING

Just curious which insurance company, you dont have to go thru a 6 months diet program, if anybody knows

Joane: Hello! I do not think this is a easy question to answer. Even within insurance companies policies a employere purchases with different riders, exclusions etc differ. Meaning you and I may both have MVP for instance but our policies may state very different criteria on bariatrics. Also insurance policies change year to year and many insurers are sadly jumping on the 6 or even 12 month preop medically supervised diet. My advice is to call YOUR insurance company as them for a written cop*do not go by what someone tells you it has been wrong before!* of your policy in regards to WLS and the criteria needed for approval, or if it even is a benefit and which surgeries they pay for. This email sounds like you are shopping for an insurance, if so you can ask the insurance reps by calling to ask about these options to compare plans that are offered to you. The Blues are more known for the diet attempts but it is not all the Blues, so that isn't even a real point to consider. Wishing you well. Take Care, Jamie 100cm proximal Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh Albany, NY 320(preop)/163 (lowest)/174 (current) 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King www.albanyplasticsurgeons.com http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/jamiecatlady5/ "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

I would say obviously double check with the insurance, but I think oxford is known to be quite easy on you as long as you have a bmi over 40. I also know someone who got approved for surgery a month after they became a member which is good to know-some insurances will require you to be a member for a year before approving such a surgery. I know that GHI requires a six month diet and Healthnet requires a 12 month diet. And one insurance requires proof that you've been MO for at least five years prior, so you can't simply gain weight to have the surgery. Hope this helps.

Blue cross/ Blue shield of central NY did not require me to a 6 monthe program. They did require a 5% weight loss before surgery. Hope that helps : ) Kier