I hope this is not true!!

So I think I have come upon a problem. As you all know (and are probably tired of hearing about), I am in the 3rd or 4th month (depending on if my doc lets me use my first inquiry as my first month) of my six month weight loss program to get approved. My doc put me on the ADA diet (american diabetes asscoiation), but I was reading on OH and I saw somebody say that BCBS of AL does not accpet the ADA diet cuz it helps with diabetes, not obesity. Has anyone else heard of this? I am glad I saw that now that way I can have my doc change the diet in her notes. What diet did your doc put you on when you were on your 6 month diet? THANKS!!!

That's ridiculous!  That diet WILL cause weight loss too.  Freaking insurance jerks.  I hope it's not going to be a problem for you

I used the South Beach Diet.

My understanding is that it is a diet supervised by a physician, so the diet can be anything. I also think some insurance requires a supervised exercise component along with it. ADA is a good diet. You just need the office notes showing that you are tracked by a physician.

Hey dear I am a medical biller, and I also have BCBS of Alabama. The main goal is just that the doctor fills out the monthly sheet stating you are on a diet and if you have lost or gain at your weigh-in. No matter what he puts you on as long as he fills out his paperwork it is considered the 6 month supervised diet. My doctor had me do Weigh****chers. I did not join but just counted points on my own, and weighed in every month with him.

Good luck to you!!

Yay that makes me feel good.... Since you have BCBSAL can I ask you another question???

When you did your six months when did you turn in your paperwork? I started mine in July. Do you think I would get accepted if I turned it in by Dec? And how long did it take you to get approved?

I tried to add you as a friend, but it wouldn't let me!

My first visit was in December and they turned in my paperwork in June. BCBS would not be clear on if they count the first visit as month one or not. So to be safe I went the 7th month and we got our approval in like 2 weeks. THey came back in one week and said I needed medical notes showing I was obesed for three years. So I had my old chiropractor fax notes to them from 2006.

I will try to add you...

I have BCBS of Tx and my PCP and surgeons office advised me to go that 7th month since BCBS wasn't exactly plain. It was explained to me like this....the first visit is like just opening the door to get started and doesn't count towards the 6 months. It's every full month after that you count as a month towards the requirement. So in the end you've covered 6 full months but you've opened that door seven times.

Make sense?

As for the particular diet, it didn't matter what I used to get the weight off, it just had to be supervised.