WL Doctor thinks I'm ready for surgery but ...

So my weight loss doctor thinks I'm ready for surgery but he and his staff are scarred to send in my paper work to the insurance because they have supposedly been getting lots of denials. The biggest reason they don't want to send it in is because I don't have a 2 year history with a weight loss doctor or even with a primary doctor. I'm starting to lose all hope I don't know what else to do.  

I did turn in proof of gym memberships and logs from my fitness pal but they still don't think that is enough. They date back more then 2 years ago.  I have Preferred IPA of California. Side note.. They have approved me seeing the weight loss doctor, the heart doctor, and the therapist which all have said I'm good to go.. I have also lost the weight my doctor wanted off.. ugh

Is there anything I can do to make them feel ready and hopefully not get denied? 

Any advise is appreciated. 

When I was having insurance issues, I contacted my provider personally.  I talked with people who make the decisions and asked specifically what they needed in order for me to get this approved.  They told me exactly what they needed and how it needed to be worded in order for it to be approved.  I got what they needed and got it approved within the week of everything being submitted. 

The doctor's office has no control over what proof your insurance needs, and what's "good enough."

Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card. Ask what they need, and if the stuff you have is sufficient for approval. Get it in writing if possible.

1st I'd like to say thank you for replying.  2nd. :)  I did call the insurance company to ask what would be needed and all they said is they wouldn't be able to tell me till the doctor submitted everything. Maybe I didn't ask the right question? But they didn't really help me at all. 

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and when I called and asked about criteria they would only tell me that the Doctor would need to follow the smart criteria.   They would not tell me what that was.    When they submitted I was approved.   Good luck with your process

I had the same issue with them, I wasn't able to get any info from them. 

My insurance policy very clearly delineates what is needed for weight loss surgery. It was written in the plan policy, easy enough to locate online or from your employer or ask for a copy to be mailed to you. It outlined every hoop that had to be jumped through. Mine did include documentation of 2 years worth of weights, which meant at a doctor's office. I had those, including ER visits and a OB/GYN visit, it didn't have to be all primary care visits.

If you read your policy and still cannot figure it out, call your insurance and ask to speak with a claims specialist. Tell them you want WLS and what are the requirements for approval? If they won't help you, ask to speak with their supervisor. "Not helping" is not an option.

I was actually submitted to the hospital back in Dec. 2013 - May 2014 I gave the WL Doc. basically a summery of all the information the hospital could give me that day. But even having those they have not submitted. Do you think those should be good enough? Maybe I should talk to the WL Doc. again? 

Their policy is not a secret. Call again. When I called my insurance co pre surgery they emailed me the policy.

Okay I will Thank you.