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BCBS of TX - 5 years proof



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I have been overweight for all my life but I do not have the complete record of information I need information of 2006 I did not go to the doctor at all that year. I consider this a blessing but now that I am pre-hypertension - blood pressure - and thyroid problems I can't get my lapband. Any suggestions on how I can prove I was overweight for that year. I have weight watchers information would that work??? Thank you

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I'm from Texas and have BCBS of Texas. The only preexisting condition I have is Thyroid condition. They approved me the first go around with me only documenting on a form that Dr. Kim provided.. Listing the different weight loss programs and diets that I have tried with dates and durations (not exact). No doctor documentation at all. Where in Texas do you live and who is your doctor. My lapband Doc (Dr.KiM) handlied all the paperwork and knew all the hoops needed to be jumped through. I started my process in November of 09 and will have my surgery tomorrow. I was afraid they would not apporve me because of no preexisting conditions like yourself. Normallly they want you to have the problems you mentioned that you have. I think I was approved because of Dr.Kims office knew exactly how to document and gives the insurance company the required paperwork for them to approve. Good Luck!:thumbdown:

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The weight watchers info is sure worth a try. I would try everything in every form you can dig up. I would also appeal if you get turned down the first time.

If all else fails, you could do self pay like I had to. It's a bummer to make payments, but I got banded.

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I have BCBS California HMO or whatever it is called. I appealed the 6 month diet requirement by using weight watchers records. They accepted it for that. I don't see why they would not accept it as proof of weight.

Here in California weight watchers scales are certified by the state weights and measures board of equalization. So, even more accurate than a doctor's scale. I'd submit it!

Best wishes!

Edited by Cocoabean
used the wrong word

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I have BCBS of TX too and live in the Houston area. So far, I have only needed to have 3 nutritionist visits and a psych evaluation. I have 2 nutritionist visits left before everything is submitted for approval. Hopefully, I will be approved. I have a BMI of almost 42 with no co-morbidities.

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Thank you all for the wonderful advice....I live in Alabama but I have BCBS of TX company is based out of Texas I am going to try to submit my weight watchers information and see how that goes.....Wish me luck I sure do need this band bad

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As Humingbird said, appeal it if you get turned down the first time. Many, many of us have appealed and won!

Don't give up hope. My own opinion is that the insurance companies find any way they can to turn us down in hopes we'll give up and go away. If you can make a good argument on appeal you can win. In the mean time, keep getting your ducks in a row with other requirements they might have like nutritionist visits, psych evals, blood work and the like.

Best wishes!

I did!

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Work with your doctor's office. Each policy is different. One person's BCBS of TX policy may have different requirements than another person's

Regarding what might work: we once had a patient that lacked one year of her five year weight history as do you. We provided a picture of her that was taken during her "missing year" which showed that she was at a similar weight as noted on her doctors notes for the years before and after.

Good luck!!

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
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      1. LeighaTR

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

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        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
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