Horizon BCBS of NJ

I contacted a new surgeon today b/c I'm switching to a procedure that my current surgeon does not do. I spoke to the insurance coordinator at the new surgeon's office in NYC and she told me that Horizon BC/BS of NJ no longer requires the six month medically supervised diet.  Can anyone verify this for me?  If it is true, that would be amazing.  I'm 3 months into my medically supervised diet, but the sooner I can get surgery the better. Thanks for your input! Leah

Leah.lucky you if this is true.I had surgery Nov 5th & they required it then.I would call the 800 number & ask them directly.Good luck

I had surgery in October, but had applied much earlier (like March of 2007) I have BC/BS NJ PPO.  There are different plans, so the PPO rules might be different.  I was not required to do a 6 mos diet at that time. Pam

I too have BCBS of NJ and no one I know, me included, had to do any type of supervised diet. I am 14 months post op but even a co worker who is 2 years post op, didn't have to do one either.

ross is 20 months out from surgery and he has BC/BS Horizon of NJ and he had to do a 3 month dr supervised diet back then -- it depends what is written into your specific policy -- it was a new rule when we went for surgery -- mine was a 6 month diet for aetna -- 

Stay on your diet. If it sounds to good to be true it probably is. Better safe then sorry. I have Horizion BC&BS HMO POS and had to show diet, this was in October. Ciao, Leslie

I would double check with b/c and ask to speak to a supervisor and ask to have it sent to you in writing.   Also be careful, I know our   Horizon BC/BS of NJ is changing names to NJ Direct 15.

I also have a BCBS PPO and didnt need a supervised diet.  I know all plans are different so good luck!

Hi Everyone, Thanks for your replies.  I spoke with Horizon BCBS of NJ today and they said that all they require for pre-certification is a note from my PCP saying that the surgery is medically necessary and not cosmetic.  HOWEVER, when I pressed for more info and written verification, he conceded that the dr.  would need to PROVE I needed the surgery by submitting office notes for a six month medically supervised diet.  I assume they will want all of the other things my original surgeon told me: proof of obesity for five years, support group attendance, psych eval and nutritionist meetings. Oh, well.  I'm halfway there.  Leah

The next 3 months will go by quickly!  I have Horizon POS and had to do the 6 months diet...which I was annoyed by, but it really did go by quickly! Good Luck! Jenn