Question:
I'm with Kaiser HMO No. Ca.

My pcp is 100% supportive of my having surgery. I got through the psych and nutritionist eval with flying colors-both said I'm an excellent candidate for surgery.My paperwork was sent to san Francisco along with a wonderful letter of support from my M.D., and a letter from myself. I talked to the surgery coordinator who does not think I have "enough health problems" for this surgery. With a BMI of 47 I have asthma,infertility,poly-cystic ovaries,depression, joint pain,gerd. She says my co-morbities have to be directly related to my weight and she's not sure that I will qualify. My paperwork went to the surgery comittee anyways. I called Ms. Optimistic coordinator today and she says she's waiting on a few more votes on my case from the comittee. Do you think with my pcp's approval,a dietician's approval, a psychologist's approval...they'd still deny me? Help! I'm so nervous about this.Any input??    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 30, 2001)

May 30, 2001
Asthma, infertility, poly-cystic ovaries, depression, joint pain, gerd should all be considered co-morbidities and would be alleviated by WLS. If Kaiser denies you, APPEAL! I know someone (on AMOS) that won an appeal with Kaiser. I also have kaiser (in So. Cal.) and had a HELL of a time proving my co-morbidities. Kaiser is not easy, but they will approve.
   — careywatkins