What do you think this means?

My insurance company lists the requirements for approval and the only one I am unsure of is this: The patient must have actively participated in non-surgical methods of weight reduction; these efforts must be fully appraised by the physician requesting authorization for surgery; Just wondering what this might entail. I'm hoping that I won't be required to do a 6-month supervised diet due to my window of opportunity that I wanna get this done in (while I'm out of school). Let me know if you've had experience with this requirement and if it means more than what it sounds like, etc. BY THE WAY, I have Blue Cross of CA. I do realize these things vary but I'm just wondering. Thanks in advance

I'm not sure, but mine said pretty much the same thing.  I sent the surgeons office a copy of Weigh****chers tracker & a copy of my prescription for Meridia last year.  I think most of the info they submit comes from the packet the surgeons office has you fill out, so make sure you fill it out completely/thouroughly.   My take on the wording is that the surgeon must evaluate your diet history then submit a req in writing.   Oh & also, follow the following link that shows the Blue Centers of Distinction  http://www.bcbs.com/innovations/bluedistinction/centers/blue distinctionbariatric_090407_1.pdf It lists all providers by state.  Can you tell I have BC too.  My paperwork was rec'd by them on Friday so now I just have to wait.    I hate waiting. Kerri

I also have BCBC and this is what my surgeon told me... The reason, is this, they just want to see that you have tried a non surgical method of weight reduction. She also said it needed to be within the last 2 years.  I dont have any recorded info from WW or a physician within the last 2 years so I am doing the 6 month diet.  I am somewhat happy about it because I know that if I can take off some of the weight beforehand that my surgery will be less risky.   I wish you all the best of luck, please let us know how it turns out.

I'm not sure if I have BCBS because my card says "Blue Cross" and says something on the back about how it's independent from "BCBS". Not sure. Anywho, I will hopefully find out soon. Thanks for the responses!