Aetna's 3 month program and behavior modification

Ok so the rest of the things we have to do on the list are pretty clear, but the behavior modification, what did other people do for it? Does that part have to last three months? I assumed that the diet/workout should be 3 months but the other stuff just should be completed within that 3 month period, that's how I read it at least... any advice would be great! I was told that a psychologist had to do that behavior modification but I'm working with a great program with exersise physiologists already for the working out part and they said they'd help me with other things too if I wanted.. and the part for the behavior mod just says 'qualified professional'.. but I'll wait for wiser minds to advive me :D Thanks

I too am trying to get the three month approval.  The behavior modification is being done through monthly visits with the center where I am getting my surgery.  Once a month I go in get weighed and visit  with the office Physicians Assistant and Registered Dietician.  (They just started offering this service (I am their first patient) and they know what kind of exepectations the insurance companies have.  I just did the required the phsyc evaluation with the physicologist.  My dilema is how to document the exercise.  I am using a trainer instead of the exercise physiologist since it said "or other qualified professional."  I am just documenting my daily activities.  Can you let me know what kind of documentation you are using for your exercise portion?   Good Luck, Lisa

Hey, it sounds like your program is good, I'm kind of having to do a lot on my own.. I found a program at the local university that has physical therepists in training and they document my progress with the work outs so that's how I'm covering that. Thanks for the reply :)

My surgeon's office worked with another office that was staffed with Physicians assistants.  They basically had me fill out a log of my eating habits, exercise routines and set goals for me to eat X number of less carbs or walk 15 minutes more per day etc. I went in there once a month.  It's about documenting what you're currently doing and showing them that you're making improvements.  They weigh you each time you go in for the 4 months (watch out Aetna changed it to 4 visits!!).   Once that was done, I was done.   It was the last thing I had to finish before getting my approval.  They actually mass denied me thinking I didn't have my 4 visits done initially.  They were so into the denial groove, my paperwork was rejected too even though it was ok.   We resubmitted it and I got the approval. 

The behavior mod was basically talking to my PCP or a Nut about the changes to my eating habits after the operation. I just got approved yesterday and to be honest I think all you really need is 5 years worth of 40 BMI or higher or 35 BMI with co-mords.

I was able to do the diet, exercise and behavoir modification all with my dietician.  You could probably do it in many ways.  I found that keeping a food and exercise log really showed the behavor modication that they are looking for.  You can provide those logs to your doctor to submit with the rest of the records.  You just really need it documented in your progress reports, either from your dietician or physician. Good luck!!

Thanks for all the great advice! I'm gonna talk to my PCP Monday and go to the people that are helping me with my workouts if they don't think they can do it or whatever. I'm going to a monthly weigh-in thing with a nutritionist which will be signed by the PCP and I'm also gonna go to my PCP, I just want to try as much as possible to not get denied for a technicality :D Thanks