Question:
Anybody run into this while waiting to be approve?

The claims manager from my insurance company called me today to let me know that she has received all the info from my doctor along with the request for surgery. She then told me that she will need pictures of me. They are to be from the neck down and preferably of me in the nude! I found this quite weird! I was half asleep when I talked to her so I didn't ask many questions. I was thinking that I will take the pictures but I will wear a bra and undies...I would think that would be sufficient. I just thought this was really odd and wondered if anyone had ran into this before.    — Deniece H. (posted on July 10, 2000)

July 10, 2000
If all they need is to see how large you are, then at 100 pounds over normal weight they should be able to judge your size just fine with ALL your clothes on. I've never heard of any insurance company asking this, or anyone else either, at least not anyone on the up and up. If you don't feel comfortable, DON'T DO IT.
   — Connie G.

July 10, 2000
Absolutely not! That is so unnecessary! There's no need to lose your dignity in this process. The surgeon's office can provide them with weight, height, and body measurements. That is certainly sufficient. If they need more, I'd say a photo with clothing would be more than enough. Tell them that you know hundreds, if not thousands of weight loss surgery patients whose doctors or insurance companies do NOT require this. I would NEVER do it!
   — Cindy H.

July 10, 2000
I think your insurance company is going a bit far on this request. I sould, however, if I were in your situation, comply with this request, but with underwear on. Even though my insurance company approved my WLS because of medical necessity, I am sure a picture of me in my underwear would have been quite convincing, in itself. The fact that your ins. co. is making this request, implies that they are at least willing to review your case on its own merit.
   — Louise H.

July 10, 2000
If this were me I would say absolutely not! They can get weight and measurement information from your doctor. I would be very curious about why they want this and I think this is definetly worth a call to them. Good luck with this. I would love to know the outcome.
   — Cecelia R.

July 10, 2000
I think that request is ludicrous. I do however think I would comply. I would only send a pick of me below the neck with my under garments on. I would also ask the insurance CO. for a reason as to why this humiliating documentation is needed. If you decide to ask, please let us know what they say. Good luck!! *HUGS* Jay
   — Jason B.

July 10, 2000
Now this is too weird--I also think I would call this person and ask them who their supervisor is and ask if this is routine. I know how much people want to have insurance approval but this sounds like an incredible invasion of privacy!
   — Julia D.

July 10, 2000
Now this is too weird--I also think I would call this person and ask them who their supervisor is and ask if this is routine. I know how much people want to have insurance approval but this sounds like an incredible invasion of privacy!
   — Julia D.

July 10, 2000
I know that a picture is worth a Thousand words, but REALLY! I would call them back and have them fax you their directive where it states that they require Nude pictures of anyone prior to approval for any surgery. Also I would check with the state Insurance Board. Of course if they did say "Preferably" nude, there's your OUT:) Just say that you "Prefered to have clothes on" and if they need other photos to document the surgery then discuss that with the surgeon at the time of surgery. Good Luck jumping through the Hoops:) ttfn Warm Healing Skinny thoughts to all:)
   — Barbara I.

July 10, 2000
You need to request proof of requirement. It MUST be in your handbook as a stipulation in order to get it authorized. You can legally oppose this request if you do your research proper. The insurance company is NOT a qualified medical professional to judge you due to what you "look" like. If your physician referred this procedure and has all the facts documented and has submitted it with the referral request for authorization, they should NOT have any RIGHT to request a photo just to look at. A photo cannot speak of what health risks you have. A photo can NOT identify genetic ailments waiting to manifest. A photo is only a picture of your of your flesh. This should NOT be a requirement. If this was the requirement for an insurance company to make a decision, then we all would be able to get approved for what we "look" like. Our physical appearance has absolutely NOTHING to do with why we need these surgeries. The key word is appearance. If they asked for a video of us bending over, trying to run, tying shoes, putting seatbelts on, having heartburn, something like that...that would provide a picture in action showing effects of obesity, but a nude or semi nude photo does absolutely NOTHING but embarress an obese person and bring their esteme down more. It should NOT be the deciding factor on such an important health related surgery!!!!! What should be the deciding factor is the risks that you already have, or may be occuring in the future if you continue to be obese, or genetic risks. I had to say something. Good luck!!!!
   — [Anonymous]

July 10, 2000
I am an insurance consultant, and, although I'm a property and casualty consultant, I think this request is LUDICROUS! I agree with the other people who have answered that I would require a copy of the endorsement or section of my policy that required "NUDE" photographs of me in order to approve me request for surgery. In fact, I do believe I would go to the insurance commissioner first to see if this is, in any way, something that should be outlawed. NUDE photographs? Preposterous!
   — Sonya H.

July 11, 2000
And up here in the great white north we rant on about socialized medicine! I agree with the other posts -- for heaven's sake, they can tell we're morbidly obese with our clothes ON ... most of us are well past any help "optical illusions" like vertical stripes or dressing all in black could provide. Although I'm not familiar with this, I can't imagine this is legal, or required, or anything other than some creepy thing, but I'd report your insurance company to the body that oversees it in your state. Good luck!
   — Cheryl Denomy

July 11, 2000
Although I agree this request is way out there, if I thought it might help me get approved I'd probably be "vogueing" in the pics. But I'd want to make sure everything was on the up and up. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.
   — Niki G.

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