im starting the process with insurance. BCBS in kentucky just flat out said we dont cover it. but they dont know any details of my weight and health issues, and that two doctors highly recommend it for me. i believe the next step is to talk to my HR department at work to see if they do? so basically, to me, it seems ill either a) have to switch insurances...or theyll approve it but only with a 6 month diet, which to me is not okay. ive been "dieting" my entire life and here i am, 5'4 weighing 296.

anyone know if there is a way around the 6 month diet? is there standards i may meet to NOT have to do it?

Every insurance company has different requirements. The best advice I can give you is to call your insurance company, find out what exactly they require and what the total amount is covered. If they absolutely do not cover bariatric surgery, then your only options are to pay for it out of pocket or switch health insurances to one who does cover it.

I too had to do a 6 month diet and by the time I got done with all of the other requirements it was about 8 months before I had my surgery from the time of my consult. I know it sounds like forever, but the 6 months will go by very fast. I actually gained weight during the 6 month diet because I took Fastin (Phentermine) the 1st 2 months and lost 20lbs, but had to discontinue using it because of side effects so I then gained about 25 over the next 4 months. Good luck, and hang in there, it is sooooo worth it

i think you should stick it out with the 6 month diet. I have Aetna and can do either the 3 month diet or the 6 month diet. i started with the 3 month but quickly came to realize it's extremely difficult (for me anyhow) to complete more than 10 appts in 3 months. Not to mention i am going to school full time and working full time. some people can do it with no problem.

but i think you'll be surprised at how short of a time 6 months passes. i learned a lot since i began my journey and feel completely confident in my decision. if i'm not mistaken, most insurance companies require 6 month diet/supervision anyhow, so best to stick with what you have. I have not had my surgery yet, i have one more appt. with the surgeon before paperwork is submitted, but it has all been worth it. good luck to you and your decision.

I'm so sorry for your frustration. I fully understand it. My insurance company was just as bad. I finally gave up and paid cash (which is what they want you to do :cursing: ) A lot of people come here to CO and pay cash.

My insurance provider BCBS flat out told me that they make you do the six month diet to prove you can not infact loose weight on your on. And they make the program so full of processes to prove that you are in fact dedicated to the lifestyle and are willing to do the work to get it. Good luck don't give up....

I am doing the same thing with my insurance, it is going to be a 6 month thing its not a "diet" its just steps to get approved. I am from West Virginia and I have BCBS and to be honest I do not think they are that bad of steps either if we just take our time and do them.

* visit with the doctor 6 times in a six month period.

* visit with a nutritionist. (4 times in six months)

* try to lose 1% of the weight you want to lose so I wanna lose 150lbs 1% is 1.5lbs.

* they just wanna see if your serious about the lifestyle change.

6 months is not that bad. I feels like just the other day I was telling my husband I had to wait 6 months. My time is half way over. My surgery is May 11. Plus it gives me time to get all my appointments done. I already had my psych eval, and my EGD. In March I have my appt with the cardiologist and pulmonolgist. I see the nutritionist once a month for 6 months. It's really not that bad.

I'm with KristenC, the 6 months really isn't that bad. The time flew by for me and I'm so grateful for all the knowledge I have now as compared to when I first started this process. I have Cigna and they required the 6 month nutrition and fitness classes before I could get approval. I'm now going on month 7 in this whole process and while there have been some frustrating moments I feel 10 times more prepared than someone who was able to start their process and get their surgery in a months time.

Good luck with your process and your insurance!