Weight loss requirments before approval??

Hey everyone! I'm starting the journey to be approved by my insurance (Healthy U Medicaid) for gastric bypass. 

 

I found the requirements online through the state Medicaid website and I'm just looking for a little clarification. I know some insurance require documented diet plan for 6 months, but this is what mine states:

The medical record must document, with a supervised weight reduction program, a body weight loss of at least 10% within the six months prior to the request for bariatric surgery   I am 5'10 and weigh 311, does this mean I have to lose 30lbs before I can be approved? Do I have to diet for a certain amount of time or is it just as soon as I lose the weight within the six months prior. I also HAVE to have a bmi of at least 40 to qualify. If I lose 30lbs, I will be right at the edge and I'm afraid I will not qualify. 

Any info is appreciated! 

Give them a call for clarification and also your surgeons office can be your greatest access to move through the process

 

Good luck!

My primary insurance (UHC) and Medicaid as secondary both had the same requirement of BMI of 40 and 6 months medically supervised weight loss program. This means you must have a record of a medically supervised diet for 6 months which means a record of being weighed every month for 6 months by a medical professional. In those 6 months, you must lose at least 10% of your body weight in order to get approved. If losing 10% means  you fall below the required BMI for surgery, that is ok. They need to see you are motivated and willing to change  your life. I contacted my insurance company in December. I started my program with the dietician in January at 250. I weighed 224 when the surgeon submitted to insurance and I was approved in 7 days. I was 217 on the day of surgery. 2 1/2 weeks post op I am 200.   I was on the edge when they submitted to insurance too. I was told by my case manager with the insurance company that would not be a problem.