Question:
No supervised diets

I don't know where to go from here....I have my consultation vist the 19th of June. My insurance is not going to pay for this visit, so I am taking my chances and paying for it myself and wait and see what they say aobut the surgery ( I sure hope they pay for that! ) My problem is, I know they want doctor supervised diets, but my problem is my PCP has never recorded any of my diet attempts, so I don't know what to do now. I am really starting to get depressed. I have been to Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers but neither of those still have my record of being there. It has been about 10-15 years since I went to them. I have tried many many many diets, but just not sure if it is going to be enough for the insurance since I KNOW they want documentation from my PCP. I live in Indiana and have M-Plan insurance my network is prohealth. I did e-mail the hospital and ask what thier success rate was with this insurance company and they said it was pretty good, but dosen't the network mean something too? When I go to the insurance board on this site alot of people dont say what network they are in. I really don't know what to do. I weight about 217-222 and I am 5'2". The only comorbidities that I know of are acid reflux, and possible sleep apnea. Is this enough to get approved with?? Will someone please respond??? Thanks so much.    — Christina S. (posted on June 5, 2001)

June 4, 2001
Have you actually seen your doctor's notes from your file? I would have sworn there was nothing in my medical files, and I had never had a medically supervised attempt. But when I actually read the notes, she had noted several times "patient advises she has lost weight on a low calorie diet" or "patient advises she is going to gym." This was enough for my insurance. (HealthNet HMO). - Kate -
   — kateseidel

June 5, 2001
When I went to my visit I listed ALL my attempts. I didn't need documentation from them. I too went to Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers. I had to only list how long and amount lost and regained.
   — Judy K.

June 5, 2001
Don't worry about that, most insurances just need the letter of medical necessity that the doctor submits.I have tried every diet,Jenny Craig,etc and didn't need any proof of me being on a diet I just told the doctor and he put it on his letter.
   — Monica J.

June 5, 2001
I was denied after my first request letter was submitted to the ins co. They needed proof of medically supervised diets and I am in the same situation as you. Although my PCP gave me several diet sheets over time, which I followed, he never actually monitored my weight variations but had record of my weight from other visits unrelated to the diets. So what he did was to write a letter stating the various diets I'd been on and how my weight flucutated between them. This was sent to the ins co a couple days ago, so I'm still waiting to hear from them, but this is just a suggestion that might work for you. I wish you all the best.
   — [Anonymous]