Hi all!! I am newly starting this process and have a few questions. I spoke to my insurance company (UHC) and found out their requirements beyond BMI requirements and they are:

1. Surgery must be completed at a COE (center of excellence

2. Have to have a psych appointment

I see so many having supervised diets and NUT. I am wondering if any of that is the surgeons requirement? What is typical for surgeon requirements?

I go to my informational session on Friday, after that I can schedule with the surgeon.

Thank you

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My insurance doesn't require a supervised diet, but my surgeon does. I don't have to lose a specific amount of weight, but I have to practice the skills I will be needing later (hitting a protein target, eating slowly, etc).

My surgeon requires psych, 1 NUT and and endoscopy.

Thank you ladies!

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My surgeon requires a three-month supervised diet, psych consult, one visit to a bariatric support group before and after surgery, attendance to two different classes, meet with a nutritionist in which I will have homework and have to pass a quiz, and a complete physical within the last year.

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My insurance required a nutrition class, surgery class, one support group meeting, psych eval, sleep study, h-pylori test, and occupational therapy evaluation. I also had to have a medical clearance form signed by my PCP and documentation from my PCP or pharmacist stating that my medications could be crushed or taken in liquid form. All that is left is a pre op appointment. My insurance approved me within the last two weeks.

I am just starting my journey also and have UHC and I am required to do a 6 month supervised diet.

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The difference in requirements is crazy. I specifically asked my insurance case manager about the supervised diet and it isn't a requirement for me (she said it is dictated by the employer). I already have my psych appointment scheduled and waiting to get into the surgeon as his requirements are the only items left.

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Hi Imwilla. I also have UHC and I have to wait 6months for approval. I started on my appointments already since I have a tentative surgery date of Sept. 12. My surgeon doesn't require 1/2 of what I need to do. I have to see a nutritionist once a month for 6months, and see all different kind is specialist for clearance. I have a friend who paid out of pocket for her surgery, and the only thing the surgeon required was an endoscopy, ekg, psyche eval, and medical clearance from her primary. I hope all goes well for you!

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I am not seeing a sleep apnea test being required. I have been anxious about the cost of that one (I will be self pay). I thought this study was typical. Guess I was worrying for nothing?

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My surgeon required the sleep study, and I'm glad she did, because it turned out that I do have sleep apnea.

2goldengirl, how much did it cost you and did you also have to buy a machine?

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I have UHC and I had to have a sleep study, 6 month weight loss thing, psych eval and thats it I believe. I'm on my last 2 visits and am so excited already. Not sure what the sleep study cost is for some reason I was thinking 300+ could be way off though. @@ridgerunner hope all goes well with you!

Thank you betterme38! I am only on my first step, going to a seminar. Am shooting for a September surgery date. Only two visits left for you? How excited you must be!!!

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I am going for my third sleep study on Tuesday. Apparently my sleep apnea is so bad that the c pap mask did not work for my. I'll be using a bipap mask this time. That is the only thing left. I have BCBS and I was on a 3 month waiting period. My surgery date (just scheduled today!!) is April 14. That gives me about 3 weeks to have my sleep study and get everything taken care of.

Just got back from my weight loss seminar and signed up to get an appt. They are calling me tomorrow to set up a day. According to the surgeon (if I understood him correctly) since I will be self-pay I only have one 4 hour appt in which they run all the tests needed and then if all looks good we will set an appt to schedule surgery. So no sleep apnea test required.

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