Did you have to lose a certain amount of weight to be approved by your insurance?

CheriCline · 05-07-2007, 09:25 PM

I am just wondering how much weight you lost before your surgery? I have to see a doctor for a year prior to the surgery being approved by insurance. I was told that they want me to lose some weight to "show" I can lose weight. I have gone down ten pounds and then up six and then stayed the same. I don't want to lose too little or too much ya know. Because if I lose too much I won't qualify. I am at 300 and can't lose too much for my BMI to fall below the required BMI. How much did you lose while waiting to get approved by insurance?

Cheri:omg:

SillyWillyMommy · 05-07-2007, 09:53 PM

I had to do 6 months pre-op dieting.. and I think that I am actually BELOW the 40 BMI that is required for approval.... But since I lost it during the approval process... I was still approved. My doctor said just don't gain any weight.. he said mostly the insurance companies just want to see that you're still commited after the time frame.
Hope that helps.

drekagirl1976 · 05-07-2007, 10:55 PM

My insurance only required that I see a dietian for 6 months but didn't require that I lose any weight. My BMI had to be at least 40 with proof of 5 years of documented weights from my doctor. I actually gained about 6 pounds during the 6 month process. Once they submitted it to BCBS TRS Activecare it was approved in 2 days and I had my surgery within 2 weeks. What type of insurance do you have? I wish you good luck in you journey. Hope this helps.

Banded 4/30/07
237/223/145
Dr. Clifton Thomas
Renanniance Hospital-Houston

faithmd · 05-08-2007, 10:52 AM

I had to see an MD for one year of suervised weight loss attempt. Monthly visits, and I couldn't miss any or the year started over. I had to lose 5% of my excess weight, and on paper that isn't too bad, considering.

EVA · 05-13-2007, 01:41 AM

I have to loose 20 pounds and I have about 2-3 months to do it so wish me luck.

Superali72 · 05-14-2007, 02:45 PM

I had to lose weight and keep off for several months to show I could do it. No fixed amount, but I lost 10 lbs. FYI Cheri - Most insurance companies use the weight/BMI taken at the first appointment of this process to determine whether they will cover you. Don't worry about losing weight, that's what this is all about.