Question:
Documented Diets

Approximately 10 to 12 years ago I was going to a Doctor that would prescribe diet pills and then later to a diet clinic but at that time I probally wasn't more than 60 over. Should I try and get those records for my insurance or let it go? I think I have only a total of 3 documented weight loss attempts. The last one was the meridia and xenical.    — janice G. (posted on May 16, 2003)

May 16, 2003
Julie: You don't have your insurance info on your profile, so it's hard to tell what hoops your specific insurance may make you jump through. I recommend clicking on "Insurers" above, and finding someone with the same insurance as you. You can usually tell how much they expect of you as far as backup. As far as your doctor, just do a spreadsheet of your diet attempts and turn that in. I will e-mail you my example. Let the doctor's office do the work initially. They work pretty hard to get insurance approval, and they USUALLY are familiar with the "hoops" if they've had any other patients with your insurance. I would just do the documentation (including the ones from 10-12 years ago) with as much information as you have & turn that in. Your doctor will submit that with your insurance paperwork. Good luck!! Amy***(LAP RNY 04-09-03)
   — Amy A.

May 16, 2003
I would definately try and get those records if you could. That just shows how long you have been dealing with obesity, which is a help for insurance. You may not have been morbidly obese, but 60lbs. over is still obesity. All insurances are different. I think 3 supervised diets should really be sufficient, but I'm no expert in any sense. Some people have 5 medical diets, some have 1, I didn't have any. It really all depends on your plan and its qualifications and sometimes luck! Goodluck to you :-)
   — Lezlie Y.

May 17, 2003
You know, that's a hard question to answer without knowing who you're insured through. For example, my insurance didn't require anything more than a typed out summary of the diets I'd tried. No doctor's supervision or anything formal. It just depends on your insurance. Some are VERY formal in what they want.
   — [Deactivated Member]