Question:
Does being approved for the consultation with a surgeon mean you're approved?

   — Jill E. (posted on July 22, 2000)

July 22, 2000
Jill, I have a PPO insurance and didn't have to be approved for my consultation, but it could still be a struggle w/ the insurance company. The policies of the different ins. companies are so different, it is hard to gage the correlation between getting approved for the consult and getting approved for surgery. My advice is this: get your ducks in a row before the consult; get letters from as many doctors as you can prior to the consult. Make sure your regular Dr has documented ALL your ailments if they can be connected to obesity at all. Hopefully you had a packet to fill out before your consult; if not, make sure you have a detailed diet history- all the ones you have tried (and add a few you didn't if you want <grin>). I had all my stuff together when I went for my consult in hopes to get approved the first time around, however, my attitude is that I will become my insurance company's worst nightmare if they fight me on this. Hang in there and feel free to email me at any time.
   — Julie M.

July 22, 2000
Jill, I have a PPO insurance and didn't have to be approved for my consultation, but it could still be a struggle w/ the insurance company. The policies of the different ins. companies are so different, it is hard to gage the correlation between getting approved for the consult and getting approved for surgery. My advice is this: get your ducks in a row before the consult; get letters from as many doctors as you can prior to the consult. Make sure your regular Dr has documented ALL your ailments if they can be connected to obesity at all. Hopefully you had a packet to fill out before your consult; if not, make sure you have a detailed diet history- all the ones you have tried (and add a few you didn't if you want <grin>). I had all my stuff together when I went for my consult in hopes to get approved the first time around, however, my attitude is that I will become my insurance company's worst nightmare if they fight me on this. Hang in there and feel free to email me at any time.
   — Julie M.