I got denied for surgery. They said they need proof I have tried to do a weight loss program or do a 6 month supervised weight loss. I've had the same doctor for 14 years and I've worked with him on weight loss but have never done anything supervised nor have I done a program like weight watchers. Any advise what I should do or submit for my appeal?

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If you have worked with your doctor on weight loss then that is a weight loss program. You doctor needs to submit that you have worked with them over the years on weight loss program.

While I'm not in California, I had the same thing happen. I've worked for years with my doctor and her nutritionist, but my insurance needed something more. I did my six months with my bariatric doctors office and now I am FIVE days away from having surgery. I would say keep up the fight, but don't delay on starting the Six month plan.

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I had to use the nutritional people in my bariatric office.

I'm having to do 6mths of Dr supervised weight loss for my surgeon, but he also said most insurance requires it now

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I'm starting the 6 month program. I believe tomorrow is day 1... so I'm 6 months or so they will submit the request for approval to my insurance company. I think...

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Similar to what others have said, despite having years of weight loss attempts I had to do another 6 months of medically supervised weight loss to meet the insurance requirement. I'm also Anthem BCBS but in Indiana. I was pretty ticked off when I found out I had to wait even longer to get surgery. Luckily my bariatric program offers this so I was able to get started with them pretty quickly. Once I completed my 6 months and they submitted I had an approval in under 2 weeks and have surgery scheduled for Jan 25.