I am giving up

I have BCBS and they required the 5 years of documented weights and I was missing 2 of those years. I found my old Weigh****chers weigh-in chart and they accepted that and the other weight came from my gynocologists office. I'm 18 months post-op now and down to 130lbs from 268 and I'd go through all this paperwork every year if I had to to stay this way. It's so worth it. Good luck to you! Gwen

Gwen, I also have BCBS, not of NC but of CA and my surgeons office told me they would ened the 5 yrs of weight records as well. When I went for my physical with my PCP last week I told them I would need them to also send over a list of every time I had been to them since 2001 with the date and corresponding weight no matter what the visit was for, i.e.; flu, etc. What I'm wondering is is that what the insurance company is wanting? Just a list of all the times I've gone to the doc over the last 5 yrs with the weight documented? Thanks for any info! Kathy

If you have BCBSNC, all you have to do is find a surgeon that is in a "Center of Excellence" (like my dr. at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory) and if the dr. thinks that you qualify for surgery, you don't have to wait for a approval from insurance! A friend of mine didn't have medical records for 2 of the five years, but dr. qualified him for surgery so BCBS will pay! I know there are several "center's of excellence in NC. Find one close to you and DO IT! Sandra

Dr Bauman is a surgeon of excellence and his office is a center of excellence. They still need the weight history but she told me that she could get it approved with only 4 out of 5 years. Also she told me to have my pcp write a letter stating that my bmi has been greater than 40 for the duration of the time that i have been a pt of his.

Just a quick update. The letter from my pcp will only work if I have been a pt for 4 or more yrs which I don't think I have been. I had an idea today and emailed Kim about it. I am a paramedic and work very closely with the ER doctors. I asked her about having my Medical Director write the letter since I have known him for several years and he knows about my weight problems more so than my pcp. She said that should work, so we'll see.

Hello Brian. Angela D here from Winterville. I am having my surgery in Pinehurst. I have been on this seems like "never ending battle" trying to get things together. I have been in your shoes several times. I am seeing those shoes now. WHATEVER YOU DO>>>> DONT GIVE UP. The insurance companies make it hard for people so they will. I have medicaid. I just finished up ALL my tests friday. Now I have to wait for medicaid. I have their phone #'s. I have talked to them personally. They say, if all the paperwork is right, it could be short as 10 days. I have waited 20 yrs. I can wait a little longer. Where are you having your surgery? Talk to your doctor. See what you can do. I was told somethings about the "weightloss"thing. If you would like to know the secrets, email me. I will be glad to chat more. JUST DONT GIVE UP Angela

Whatever you do don't give up. I have BCBS of NC and they required 5 years of documented weights. I was missing 2 of the 5 years so my PCP wrote a letter and I wrote a letter explaining why I didn't go to the doctor for 2 years (taking care of mom who was recovering from ovarian cancer) and they approved me on the first try. I had my surgery on 8/14 and am feeling great. Just keep at it if you get denied the first time. Good luck! Robin