question....bmi 51, but no comorbid conditions

Alright. Here is a crazy question. I have a BMI of 51 but I have no comorbid conditions. My insurance states that it covers as long as it is medically necessary. Being I have no other problems. No diabetes, no high blood pressure, just slightly high cholesterol (last time checked about 220). I guess you can say besides being very overweight I'm pretty healthy. Do you think this will affect the insurance company paying? I'm am in the process of getting my PCP to refer me to a surgeron and I'm really worried. After thinking and hoping for over a year my insurance FINALLY said they do cover, but now I'm afraid I will not qualify for surgery.

you may have more problems than you think. there are a lot of comorbities. bp and diabetes are just 2, there is depression, vericose veins, sleep apnea, rashes, back problems, hip problems, etc. i would ask your pcp to run some tests. adrienne

Not to mention....urinary stress incontinence, PCOS, knee and ankle problems. Oh the list goes on and on and I would imagine with a BMI of 51 you could find a few. Make sure you have a sleep study done since sleep apnea is on of the biggies. I was a "healthy" morbily obese person also but did qualify to have stress incontinence (so hard for them to prove) slightly high cholesterol, mild sleep apnea (had a sleep study) and depression (never treated with meds) and my BMI was borderline between 38.7 and 41.8. Dont let the insurance company scare you away. It is the money you have been paying them for years!!! And you deserve it!! I was denied three times but my Doc was persistent. I imagne if it hadn't been for him I would have given up like so many do. The insurance companies can be so intimidating. Wishing you great success!!! Jen 243/152/143

Hi Joy: My suggestion is for your to contact your insurance company and find out what are their criteria for you to qualify for surgery. Good Luck. Donna

I agree with what's posted above, contact your insurance company and find out what their specific criteria are. I will say, the last 2 insurances I've had did not require co-morbidities above a BMI of 40. My current one is that way, I just have to jump through their lengthy loops to get there. Take Care. ~Ellen

Hello - I deal with the insurance companies every day....most state if your BMI is 40 or higher you don't have to have any co-morbidities. Normally when the co-morbidities come into play is when your BMI is 35 - 39. Good Luck and hope this helps. For me personally my BMI was over 40 and I didn't have any co-morbidities and I was approved with no porblems.

THANKS for all the replies. Ya'll have made me feel better. I did check with my insurance today, the only thing that will hold me back for now (i think) will be the fact that i've not been on a medically supervised diet for at least 6months. and they don't consider all the times i did weigh****cher... oh well if that's what it takes..... :)

I had a BMI under 40 and no comorbidites and got approved I did get denied 3 times but just kept appealing and got there! You just have to get all your ducks in a row and be persistant.