Insurance companies REALLY reading personal letters?

I was just wanting to ask everyone's opinion or experience about writing personal letters to insurance companies. My insurance has those exclusions like "medically necessary" and "at least double your ideal weight"...but they do take comorbidities into account.  However, they must be "severe" and/or "uncontrollable". I have a BMI that bounces between 37-40 (depending on the day and how effective the "water pill" was the night before). And, while I do have co-morbids (high BP & Cholesterol), stress incon, reflux, and a bad knee, they're all "controllable" with meds.  But, I'm 34 and I'm taking 5 prescription pills a day.  However, you know how insurances are...I'm fearing being denied! Many have suggested writing a personal letter when papers are initially submitted.  I've seen the pre-formatted ones here with the arguments based on medical necessity. I was wondering if anyone here wrote a personal one and if they had any feedback on whether it was read or not.  My letter ended up being about 3 pages (single spaced, 12 pt font). I'm wondering if it's just too long for them to read. Any opinions or advice?

Paul--

Thank you so much for your wisdom.  I can not/have not been able to find any type of "approval policy" by which to compare.  However, I will certainly take your advice into account and do another draft.

I've also read on this board that family history is usually irrelevant (which to me is very ironic considering that my life insurance premiums almost DOUBLED after they received a family history).  My mother had her first heart attacks at 42, my eldest brother died in a freaky accident at age 28. The initial autopsy report sited heart attack as the cause because he had 90-95% blockages.  And, my other brother had his first heart attack at the age of 41.  My dad and his family have high BP with several strokes affecting his sisters.  My dad has very severe sleep apnea. Both paternal and maternal grandparents died at early ages (<70) due to heart attacks and/or strokes. For me, this is horrifically relevant.  Do you think it is worthy of inclusion in the initial pre-approval application? Thanks for all the help!

Yes, I had gotten that far just by doing an "advanced search" on the site.  However, this is what it stated in the proviers section:

McKesson Health Solutions LLC InterQual Acute Criteria is utilized in making medical necessity determinations for inpatient hospital admissions for adults and children. Due to copyright restrictions, this criteria is not available on the web-site. However, case specific copies of the criteria relating to a specific denied service, are available upon request. Providers may request copies of case specific criteria in writing.  Any suggestions on where I should go from here?  I've also visited this sites website for help and of course got the "copyright" thing again.  I've also called the number given but was told that I could not get it unless I was a "provider".   Thanks again for all your experience, help and wisdom! :)

I can tell you that if you write a long drawn out letter it will go unread.  I work in an ins co. and have heard this numerous times.  If you write a letter keep is short and factual.  Best of luck.