BCBS IL PPO 5 year History

Hi everyone.  This is my first post here, but I've been lurking for a while.  

Just decided to get the ball rolling.  Good news, my insurance covers the procedure after 6 months of supervised diet, etc, etc.  I'm ok with that.  I qualify with my BMI at about 45. Bad news: I think I'm going to get stuck with the 5 years of medical history.  I haven't gone to a doctor in a looooong time, but I've been morbidly obese for most of my adult life.  I haven't needed to go to a doctor, so I thought that was a good thing, but apparently not.  I just started the process, and the nurse at the office said I could use my records from my pregnancies if I was over 225 at the time (I was).  But I had my kids 19 and 20 years ago and the Doc only keeps records for 12 years.  Any ideas? 

Dated family photos with pictures from each year?  That could prove that you have been morbidly obese for at least five years.   

Search the forums because I'm sure other's have dealt with this before.

 Thank you for taking time to reply.  Oh, I have pictures.  They're hella ugly, but if that's what I gotta do, that's what I gotta do!

Hi,

I have BCBS IL & I just got denied for my surgery. I too didn't have the 5 years because I hadn't needed to go to the doctor what I got denied for was for not having a extensive enough diet and exercise program laid out. Make sure your doctor takes good notes of the wl diets and exercise that you are doing for the 6 month weigh ins.

First of all, I'm sorry about your denial, but don't give up!  

Secondly, what did you provide for a 5 year history?  And were they ok with that?

I just had my first appointment with the doc and I'll make sure they keep good notes on the diet and exercise and weigh ins.  Thank you for taking the time to reply.  

I'll think good thoughts for you to get your approval, even if it takes another six months!  Just in time for a new year's resolution :)

Been to an urgent care or the ER in the past 5 years? They have a weight history.

Hi Tassia,

Lurking? Sound like me when I first came on to the OH scene. As far as BCBS, I have bcbs and  I had the same exact concerns posted reference the five year weight history. However, with the encuragement of Teresa J here and many others in the Q/A section of OH. I continued to fulfill all my insurance requirements until completed, by the time it came to producing the five year medical history I was contacting physicians from the past non stop with no success. Long story short, hanging in there and not giving up got me an approval in two days first attempt and a date for this month. So no more stalling for you. If you are serious, keep up the work, stay proactive with the surgeon office and everything will fall into place :)

Best of luck

 Wow, thanks for the encouraging story!  I am keeping up with the requirements, almost a month done with the 6 mos supervised diet and I plan on going through with everything else.  Good luck with your surgery, and thank you!