AETNA PPO IL - 3 month or 6 month "program"

I had really thought that the group at U of Chicago would work with their patients to supervise the 3 month option, but apparently they "don't do that".  The options in blue or green below represent what is seemingly the most difficult to meet portion the the Aetna WLS qualifications.

6 month option requires cooperation of family physician/PCP but might be the only viable option at this point. 

Family docs have never been especially cooperative or understanding about weight loss anything, but I guess I can try again with my current doc.  6 months sounds like a long time, but if the precert really can go forward before the 6 months are finished it might not be so bad.

Maybe I can print out the requirement so doc will keep good notes.

If anyone has another idea or knows of a multidisciplinary pre-surgery program in Chicagoland please advise.

Thanks.

Bill


14. Physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program: Member has participated in physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program (including dietician consultation, low calorie diet, increased physical activity, and behavioral modification), documented in the medical record at each visit. This physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must meet all of the following criteria:

15. Nutrition and exercise program must be supervised and monitored by a physician working in cooperation with dieticians and/or nutritionists; and

16. Nutrition and exercise program(s) must be for a cumulative total of 6 months or longer in duration and occur within 2 years prior to surgery, with participation in one program of at least three consecutive months. (Precertification may be made prior to completion of nutrition and exercise program as long as a cumulative of six months participation in nutrition and exercise program(s) will be completed prior to the date of surgery.); and

17. Member's participation in a physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program must be documented in the medical record by an attending physician who supervised the member's participation. The nutrition and exercise program may be administered as part of the surgical preparative regimen, and participation in the nutrition and exercise program may be supervised by the surgeon who will perform the surgery or by some other physician. Note: A physician's summary letter is not sufficient documentation. Documentation should include medical records of physician's contemporaneous assessment of patient's progress throughout the course of the nutrition and exercise program. For members who participate in a physician-administered nutrition and exercise program (e.g., MediFast, OptiFast), program records documenting the member's participation and progress may substitute for physician medical records;