What if you just have it?

I called my insurance company to find out requirments for approval I asked about a 5year weight history -I was told not. But the lady from the surgeons office called and they told her that I needed one but I just have it I haven't been to the doctor's every year for 5 years. The only year is when I lost about 80 lbs fast and devolped gallstones but I was 180 then is that going to hurt me. Will they not approve me. Also, I am only 21 so 5 years ago I was only 16 does that matter? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

Did you tell the lady from the surgeon's office that you called the company and they told you that you don't need a 5-year history? Is it just your surgeon's requirement? I would ask them to submit everything to the insurance anyway. It can't hurt. And if your insurance really doesn't care that you have the documentation for 5 years, then they might approve it.

Make sure you are keeping very detailed notes about who you talk to, when, about what and their exact answers.  Not only the insurance company, but also your surgeon's office, your PCP and any other doctor you deal with.  Not only will this help you keep all those conversations straight in my mind, but it will also help if you ever have to appeal --- you'll have a reminder of what was said to you.   I have a 3-ring binder that I keep this log in.  I also include any letters or written documentation I receive in this binder too... so everything is together. Call your insurance company again and ask if they would please provide you a written document that outlines the exact requirements of the surgery.  Then use this as our basis for gathering the information they need.  Share this information with your surgeon's office.... sometimes they get conflicting information and anything you can do to help them is a good thing. Good luck, pam

Can I ask why you have to repeat the 12mnth diet again. I am 1/2 way through my 6 months and am not sure what exactly to expect.

I'm repeating my 12 month diet because my PCP did not write anything in my medical records about my dieting efforts for the first 12 months of dieting.... even though I brought my weight / exercise / eating log with me to each appointment and discussed it with him.  He didn't bother writing any of those conversations down, nor any of his recommendations for diet changes, nor our conversation about a diet pill Rx which we decided against.  When I finally figured out he was incompentent and hadnt' made accurate notes about our visits, I asked him to amend his notes and/or write a letter to the insurance company about my dieting efforts.  He refused because he "had no recollection" of my diet efforts.  So at the end of my 12 months of dieting, I had no evidence of my doctor being involved .... and of course, the insurance company doesn't care what *I* tell them happened, if it's not in my medical records, it didn't happen. Needless to say that PCP was fired and I still harbor a good bit of bitterness toward him.   I started over with another 12 months of dieting using a program through my surgeon's office that has a proven track record of documentation and approval by the insurance company.  I meet monthly with a registered nurse who is also a nutritionist and personal trainer and works at a health and fitness center owned by the hospital I'll have my surgery at.   I started on November 1st last year so I should be good to go for surgery before Thanksgiving this year.  Amazingly, the time has gone by pretty quickly.  The first couple months were the hardest and longest for me... but since I "let go" of the anger over the first 12 months, things have gone a lot smoother for me. Holler if you have other questions. Pam