BCBS of AL

Hi yall... I have BCBS of AL & I was just wondering something........my weight for the last 3 years dropped 3 pds below what it was supposed to (to maintain a bmi of 40 or more).  JUST 3 PDS!!!!!!!!  My doctor said not to worry about it, but I cant help but to!!!!!!!!!!!!  She said other than that 3 pds, I meet the requirments & that she doesn't think it will be a problem..that I should get approved.   Have any of yall had this experience & got approved?? I dont really know how strict they are so any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.  I mean, I dont have any co-morbid factors (i think thats the word?)..I have pictures, but what would that help?? My bmi now is 48 & its been above 40 for the past 3 years..except for that one time--when I was 3 lbs under.  I need any suggestions because I'm so worried I wont get approved.  Let me know yalls experiences with BCBS and if any of yall have BCBSAL that would help too.  Thanks so much in advance.  ~Erin

Make sure and re-check your height.  If you have guessed your height since measuring long ago, it is possible with the extra weight you may have gotten shorter.  If this is the case, then your BMI would be affected to. Also, as far as I understand at least from my doctor that the calculator height/weight is just an estimator.  They actually have machines ( my doctor has one ) that can read your BMI.  Perhaps your doctor can check you, and see how it stacks up to the calculator, if its way off, you might be able to have the doctor said even at this weight, her BMI was over 40. Are you sure you dont have ANY co-morbidities?  Joint pain, depression, high cholesterol ect?  These may work for your insurance. Just some thoughts. I also asked my surgeon about pictures, and was told that yes, some people do submit them, but wasnt sure if that has ever made a difference in the actual approval process. You may even want to add a personal letter stating that you realize that you have fallen below this BMI but those were a few of your attemps to lose weight and this just proves that you are not able to lose weight AND keep it off. Good luck!

The previous poster provided some great suggestions for you. While there are no guarantees when dealing with insurance companies (unless something is in writing, and even then, situations can be moot), if you meet most of their requirements and only fall short by three pounds, you should not have any issues with being approved.  Admittedly, insurance companies can be so persnickety about the most minute details--really anything to deny a procedure.  Yet, I have not heard of a company's denying someone for being three pounds from their requirements while he/she met all the other requirements for surgery. Also, please keep in mind that your doctor deals with the insurance company enough to know when to submit and when to hold back.  They are not always right, but a good portion of the time, they are. You should be fine.

I just wanted to thank you all so much for your inspiring advice.  I will follow it well & keep yall in the back of my mind.  Thanks again!! ~Erin