Just a quick question

Hi everyone!! I called my insurance company today about their requirements for Bariatric surgery. One requirement was "5 years of documentation of weight control." I'm wondering what this means exactly? I asked the rep on the phone what it means, and she didn't know. 

Has this ever happened with anyone else's insurance on this forum? Any and all feedback is most certainly welcome! Thanks everyone! 

I had to prove that I had been struggling with a weight issue for at least five years.  I think they were trying to weed out people who do not have a lifelong problem...

I don't know what kind of insurance you have, so how they document could be different than mine. BUT, my surgeon told me I had to document that I had been obese for 2 years. (My plan required 2 yrs history of morbid obesity). He said that all I needed to provide them was a weigh in at any point during the last two years. I had gone to my PCP for regular annual type stuff, and they always weighed me, so I had 2 yrs history of obesity just by going to the doc for regular stuff. 

Again, my surgeon was familiar with my specific plan (fepblue) and knew exactly what I needed. I just had my PCP fill out a sheet of paper for my surgeon listing all of my weights in the last 2 yrs. I didn't have to do anything.

Im hoping it's just documentation needed at this point for sure. The woman that I was transferred to was extremely unhelpful and rude. It was hard to talk to her, which was unfortunate. I'm feeling a bit discouraged at this point, and I haven't even had my first appointment yet. 

Thank you for your response!!

My insurance needed the same. I had to make sure that I had been weighed by my primary physician at least once a year for the past 5 years. 

This is good to know. I hope that's all my insurance needs. The woman I talked to was extremely unhelpful, and rude. It was hard to talk to her. 

Thank you for your response!!

The surgeon obtains ins approval - not you. They are getting paid.  The surgeons have ins experts on their staff who get 10-20 patients a week approved.  They are your best friends and most likely know EXACTLY what your ins co will accept.  Talk with them - you will get little more than misinformation from the ins carrier, if you even find someone who knows what you are really asking.  You get my drift - do not waste much time contacting your ins carrier - let your surgeon's office do it.

I agree with this -- however, I wanted to add to GET YOUR INSURANCE CARRIERS INFORMATION IN WRITING from the INSURANCE CARRIER.

Make sure you have it IN WRITING.

I had to have been weighed at a doctor's office once a year for 5 years as part of my insurance requirements.

I would read and reread your insurance. There are so many gray areas at times. It can be vague also.