Where I stand today...

2/14/11: Verified with Saint Luke's Center for Surgical Weight Loss that my insurance would cover their program

2/15/11: Attended St. Luke's Seminar

2/23/11: Attended first pre-op Dr. appointment. Sandy explained that I would need a 1) sleep study, 2) appointment with their nutrionist and exercise specialist to begin a three month supervised diet/exercise program, 3) psych eval, 4) letter of medical clearance from my GP, and 5) copies of notes from any doctor I saw in 2009 and 2010 showing my current weight. I would also need to attend at least one support group meeting. My appointments for the psych eval and diet/exercise specialists were set. I briefly met Dr. Price.

2/24/11: I received a call from the St. Luke's Sleep Lab to schedule my sleep study.

2/27/11: Completed sleep study.

2/28/11: Received call from Kara at UHC. They explained that my policy does not cover Saint Luke's Center for Surgical Weight Loss . In addition, my policy requires a 6 month medically supervised diet.

You might imagine my reaction to this news. I was devestated and furious at St. Luke's for assuring me that my insurance would cover everything when they clearly had NO IDEA.

2/28/11: Reserved a spot in the upcoming seminar (3/7/11) at the only local program my insurance does cover, The Bariatric Center of Kansas City at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. All I can do now is wait to see what my earlier mistakes will cost me and try to move forward despite them.

3/7/11: Went to DO's office for pre-supervised diet/exercise program blood work

3/7/11: Partipated in scheduled meeting via phone with my UHC case manager, Jill. She instructed me to

1) tell the folks at SM that she is my case manager, 2) called her with any questions at (866) 534-7209 x65559, and 3) check in with her in June to let her know my progress

Upcoming appointments:

Monday, 3/7/11, @ 6pm: Attend the seminar at the Bariatric Center of Kansas City at Shawnee Mission Medical Center

Thursday, 3/10/11 @ 5pm: First appointment with DO to begin supervised diet/exercise program

June: Call Jill, my case manager at UHC to update her on my progress