Question:
Has anybody been approved recently with a BMI of 60 and only 1 co morbidity

I did my psy eval on 3/10 and was told I was an excellent candidate for the surgery. I'm waiting on my insurance to approve (Blue Cross / Blue Shield). My concern is that other than being 5"6" tall and weighing 422 pounds, the only other think wrong with me is I have high blood pressure. My paper work that I submitted to insurance list every diet that I have tried over the years and I tried almost everyone on the list. Should I be concerned?    — Lurnia Marie I. (posted on March 13, 2006)

March 13, 2006
Most insurance companies that cover wls require a bmi of 40, so I think you'll be fine. The only reason I can think of for denying your request is if they exclude the surgery in your plan, and hopefully, they don't! Good luck. With a bmi of 60, you don't need to have current comobidities. Unfortunately, without the surgery or weightloss by any means, you stand a huge chance of developing them.
   — LauraA

March 13, 2006
The criteria established by the National Institutes of Health and the American Society for Bariatric Surgery reads as follows: Namely, patients are candidates if they have a Body Mass Index over 35 and suffer from any health condition related to obesity. Anyone with a BMI over 40, regardless of health conditions is a candidate. Best of luck getting approved. If you are turned down, don't lose hope. Nothing worth having is easy, keep your chin up!
   — kjoy

March 13, 2006
Personally I have BCBS of GA....I had a BMI of 45 and my only comorbidity was reflux. I was approved within one week of submitting my paperwork. The question is....does your employer carry the weight loss surgery rider in your insurance coverage? LAP RNY 12/22/05
   — mmcphee1

March 13, 2006
I too had a BMI of 60 maybe 61? and I am only 5'2 and had no comorbidities and was also approved within a week or so.Good Luck Pam
   — sunnie

March 13, 2006
Thank you all for the responses. My insurance does allow the surgery. several women at work has already had it done. Plus I called to verify that they cover it before I began the process. I just need to sit back and be paitient. It has not been a week yet.
   — Lurnia Marie I.

March 13, 2006
Don't forget that pain in the joints count along with many other co-morbidities. I also used plantars fasiitis(foot problem) along with borderline high blood pressure and borderline high sugar levels.
   — HeidiXOXO