Question:
I wanted to know if you always have to document problems associated with an apron

such as back pain, rashes, etc. in order to have it covered by insurance. Would it be acceptable to have your Plastic surgeon write your problems or do you HAVE to have documented proof. I do have back pain in my middle back (thought that would stop after losing weight)and I get rashes once in a while. The thing is, I am just getting a new insurance and I was wondering if it would look suspicous to them if I all of a sudden start documenting these problems after getting on the insurance. I have a consult with a PS on March 8th and another on March 18th. My insurance starts on March 1st. What should I do?    — Dawn H. (posted on February 26, 2002)

February 26, 2002
I have heard lots of people talk about documenting their problems, but I, personally, didn't. I SAID I had had certain problems including some back pain & rashes in my letter to the ins co, but I had no documentation. My WLS surgeon & my plastic surgeon both wrote letters to my insurance co & after two denials, I was approved for a panniculectomy, which is scheduled for about a month from now. I should add, however, that my two denials had more to do with the ins co saying they didn't have all the info they needed, rather than a flat-out denial of the procedure being covered. I had asked for an abdominoplasty & was bummed that they didn't approve it til I got more info & now I am quite satisfied with having the panni. I am sure it depends a lot on the particular insurance company. I have Mailhandlers, for employees of the Postal Service & have found them to be pretty darn good over all for their coverage. I'll have to see what they do with my next request which will be for my upper arms.......
   — [Anonymous]

February 26, 2002
Both of my insurance providers approved my panniculectomy and armlift surgery in November. I did not provide documentation of the problems that I had experienced, but I simply told the plastic surgeon about the rashes and chronic low back pain that I felt was aggravated by all that hanging skin. He included the information in his letter to the insurance company, and also sent frontal and side view photographs. Believe me, a picture says a thousand words! Good luck!
   — Diana T.