I finished the 3 weight loss management classes in 3 months, the Nutrition class, the cardiac clearance, the psych evalution, all the bloodwork and got a recommendation and clearance letter from my PCP. Now I just have to do the Endoscopy and the Colonoscopy. I am doing that tomorrow and the paperwork on my procedure says that it takes 10 business days to get the results from them. Question - is the endoscopy and colonoscopy required by the insurance usually or is it a requirement of the surgeon so he knows what's going on there before the surgery? In other words, am I ready for them to submit to insurance for my approval or will I have to wait for the Endoscopy/Colonoscopy to get insurance approval? I have Cigna if that makes a difference.

I had neither procedure done prior to my surgery, but every surgical/insurance program seems to have its own set of requirements to be met, prior to approval. Be thankful your insurance company doesn't require a 6-month, medically supervised weight loss program prior to approval!! ;-P

Best of luck to you!

Laura

the endoscopy and colonscopy are necessary from the dr depending on your med history. they arent for insurance. but the dr needs to make sure you dont have polyps or a hiatial hernia or anything before he will agree to do the surgery. it's his requirement to make sure you are good to go before he will set a date. from here, a date must be set before any preapproval can be made by the insurance. they won't even look at it without a surgery date.

I have Western Health Advantage grouping with Hills Physicians. Hills required me to take the six month class/weigh ins program, psch evaluation, endoscopy, colonoscopy, EKG, chest xray, mammogram and pap, labwork. I also attended mandatory seminar, support group meeting and nutrition class required by surgeon. Pending insurance approval now. My PCP sent surgical authorization request last week.