What exactly is a medically supervised diet?

From the message board I have heard Aetna will pay if your on a medically supervised diet? Is that with your surgeon or PCP?

I used my work comp doctors and PCP for my medically supervised diet. I was injured on the job and was seeing work comp doctors that all asked me to go on a diet. They felt it would help my back. We would discuss diets or they would suggested programs like Weigh****chers and so I tried again. I saw my work comp doctors every 4-6 weeks and each time they would weigh me, get all my vitals and inquire about how I was doing on my diet. I went on several different diets while seeing them and I lost and gained over 50 lbs. I saw them from January 2004- May 2005.  When I tried to get my insurance UnitedHealth Care PPO to approve my WLS, they denied me on the bases of not having a 12 month medically supervised diet. When I inquired about what that ment they said any doctor that continuously supervised me for 12 months while I was dieting.  It didn't matter what type of doctor it was or that I saw different doctors during those 12 months either.  My insurance accepted it.  They will accept any diet even diet pills as long as it is medically supervised.  

I've been told that a doctor is a doctor.  So whichever doctor you choose works.  I've heard of people having their diet documentation done through their psychologist, gynocologist, endocrinologist or your regular ole PCP.   Check with Aetna to find out if other forms of diet history will count.  Some insurances will accept weigh****chers or Jenny Craig type programs too. Good luck! Pam

It's insurance bs.  Here is form I used - my dr. signed off on it immediately.  Contact me for more info:

Diet History Form sample (Works Great!):

 

 

PHYSICIAN PROGRESS NOTE FOR WEIGHT LOSS ATTEMPTS

 

 

PATIENT:  YOUR NAME HERE

 

 

 

 

Date:                July 17, 2006  (Separate sheet for each month.) 

 

 

Weight:            350+ lbs.  Unable to obtain due to scale capacity)

 

                        Weighed at XXXXXXX on 6/21:  386 lbs.

 

 

Type of Diet:  What kind? Weight loss using American Diabetes Association Guidelines, American Heart Association, Weigh****chers, Low Fat.

 

 

Exercise:          Moderate walking daily.  (Other possible comments: Problem walking & standing due to arthritis & weight.)

 

 

Diet Pills:          None. (List kind if pills are used.)

 

 

Behavior Modifications Discussed:  Continue written food diary.  Watch portions. 

 

 

 

Additional Comments: (0ptional) Sample of what I used:  Patient has continued to schedule testing & consultations for bariatric surgery approval. 

 

 

                                   

 

 

                                   

 

 

                                                Signature_____________________________

 

                                                                                    XXXXXXXXXXX, M.D.