Question:
What is the first step to checking on ur insurance paying for my surgery

wht is the first thing i need to do, to see if my insurance will even pay....for my R N Y surgery......    — lovedove (posted on April 7, 2003)

April 7, 2003
You simply call them and ask if this surgery is covered under your policy and ask what criteria has to be met .Then if you meet them ...go to your PCP and request a letter of reconmendation for surgery . Gather all medical records from any DR who has records indicating ANY med problem you have thats weight related . Start a folder include family medical history of all family members ...This helps more than you know . I will stop here becaise I think I have gone beyond your org Q. :) Hope this helped Ruthie N SC
   — ruthie

April 7, 2003
Hi there! Before you call your insurance you can check your plan's book to see if they exclude WLS. When I checked mine, it was very vague, with no exclusion (good news!). Then I did what the previous poster did -- made an appointment with a surgeon, went to my PCP for a letter, started gathering my diet/family medical history and I got a packet from the surgeon to fill out all my history info. Good luck!
   — beeda

April 7, 2003
(1) look in book. (2) Pick up phone
   — Delores S.

April 7, 2003
Hi Dovie! When I decided to look into WLS I called the doctor I wanted to see. I asked them a few questions about how hard it is to get insurance approval. They gave me a code for the surgery. I can't remember what it was. Next I called my insurance and asked if they covered the procedure. I gave them the code and they said yes they do as long as you meet certain guidelines. One of them being a BMI of 40 or more. Trey calling your insurance company. They might be able to tell you exactly what their guidelines are. Best of luck!!!!!
   — Maria S