Question:
What is important to include when writing to my insurance carrier regarding approval?

My surgeon has asked me to write a letter to my insruance (United Health Care) regarding my request for WLS. He didn't really give me any specifics to include. He just said it sometimes helps for the insurance carrier to receive a personal letter from the patient. Any advice on what I should include in the letter? Thanks!    — lorrl (posted on May 2, 2004)

May 2, 2004
well the first thing I could say is be honest. Make a list of things you have a hard time doing (tieing you shoes, going up the stairs and feeling like you are dieing, where you have all your pain Back legs and so on) After doing that tsy to put into words why you feel you need this done. I woud also right a letter to anyone close to you to explain why you feel you need this done it also helps them to understand why you are doing this and it helps you get in touch with why you want to do this.
   — Rosemary L.

May 3, 2004
I would include your current weight, height, BMI, how long you have been dieting, include examples of the many diets you have been on, how they have worked only for you to regain and then gain back even more than you lost (this is one biggy I included). In fact, I truly believe all that dieting is what got me to the point of being morbidly obese in the first place as I messed up my metabolism! Include your comorbidities along with your family history of medical problems such as hypertension, diabetes, etc. Good luck!
   — DebT