Question:
I am curious as to what ins co is looking for in terms of physician-supervised diets

Like everyone else, I have 'dieted' my whole life. But I am wondering what the ins co means when referring to physician-supervised diets. My experience with doctors over the 43 years of my life has been that they say you should lose weight and they hand you some papers that have been copied many times (the allowed and don't ever eat this, lists) and that's it. I have never had a doctor say, 'well then, lets put you on a supervised diet' I am currently 356lbs and don't know how I can substantiate my failed 'diets' to the ins co. I've ever been one to go to this and that 'diet' center, and in the past few years have resisted diets, since I know my failure with them just further depresses me. Any advice on how to 'talk' the the ins co would be appreciated. Thanks    — potterylady (posted on October 23, 2000)

October 23, 2000
as to your question, i found that they were interested in my participation in any structured weight loss efforts. ie have you been to weight watchers, jenny craig, tops etc. have you seen a doc for diet pills diet shots, etc. when i was filling out my info, i also tried to make a list and break down how many different diets i had been on, the weight lost and how much i gained back!!best of luck to you- i am now 10 days pre-op. toni saliby
   — toni S.

October 23, 2000
Perhaps if you made a graph of your weight going up and down and what method you used to achieve what little progress you had in the past would work.
   — Lisa W.

October 23, 2000
I just made a list of every diet I had ever tried (as best I could remember), whether it was self-supervised, or doctor supervised, or part of a group like OA. I wrote how long I tried it, how much weight I lost, and how much I gained back after the diet. The insurance company accepted it without any other documentation. Some insurance companies are much more picky than others.
   — Lynn K.

October 23, 2000
Alexis, Anytime a doctor says they want you to lose weight and they check your weight when you go in, that qualifies as a doctor supervised diet. Exspecially if they give you a guide line to follow (i.e. foods to eat etc.) However, their request that you lose weight must be writen in your file. This was a little secret that another WLS member had told me, and it is true. Becki
   — Becki S.

October 23, 2000
Alexis: My BCBS insurance required a supervised weight loss diet during the last year for no less than 3 months. So, I went to my personal physician and he gave me a diet to follow. He had me come in once a month to be weighed and have my blood pressure taken. This was enough to satisfy their requirement.
   — Cindy H.

October 23, 2000
I only had one diet supervised by the dr. and that was phen-phen. When I talked to my surgeon, he told me to just list the diets I tried on my app to be approved. I listed all of them, etc: atkins, low fat, low cal, weight watchers, etc. I had over 15 diets I tried on my own. I got approved without any problem I weigh 274, 30 years old with no pre-existing conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, anything) My date is Nov 7th. Only 15 days to a new me. Good luck Penny
   — Penny W.

October 23, 2000
From what I understand, almost everyone who has Prudential gets approved. The surgery is medically necessary to insure the best quality of life. Didn't Aetna buy out Prudential? If so, you only need be 100+ lbs. overweight to qualify. No comorbities required.
   — Vanessa J.

October 23, 2000
Vanessa I sure hope you are right about Aetna approving just about everyone 100+, and yes Aetna did buy out prudential. I am in the same boat. Just starting the approval process and hoping and praying that I get approved. I am 5'6", 330 aprox, with no comorbities other than the usual ackes and pains. I also have never been on a supervised diet, just had a love hate relationship with the local fitness club. I wish you the best of luck on your journey but almost feel like we are doing it together.
   — Tanya P.