Insurance and exercise program question.

It is very likely I'm overthinking this, but my insurance says I have to participate in "a physician supervised nutrition and exercise program, over a consecutive 12 month period, including evaluation and management with a licensed dietician, and increase in physical activity, and behavioral modification."

My take on that was I had to have a medically supervised exercise program but my friend said going to a gym like Planet Fitness counts. I'm honestly not completely sure and I'm looking for people who have been in this same boat before.

I suggest calling your insurance company and asking.  That's the only way to know for sure what they require. 

Its very dependent on the insurance company.  With aetna that would have allowed a gym like planet fitness, as long as I got nutritional support and trainer support.  With BCBS that would only mean a weight loss program through a hospital or weight loss clinic that they approve of.  your best bet is to call your insurance company directly.

Have you already gone to a WLS public info meeting and had a consult with a bariatric doctor/surgeon to see if you would be a good medical candidate for WLS?  The doctors who have devoted a majority of their practice to WLS (the only ones I considered for my surgery) have people in their office who are familiar with the requirements for insurance programs.  They were very helpful and I suggest having that meeting and first evaluation and going from there- getting started ASAP is the most important thing. 

I suggest that you (or anyone considering WLS) take a look at the videos posted by Dr. Matthew Weiner (not my doctor, but his info is great).

http://drmatthewweiner.com/surgical-weight-loss-video/

Best of Luck  - I had surgery 6 months ago and it remains one of the most important decisions I ever made.