Hi everyone! I'm about to start the process to get approved for surgery; insurance is requiring me to go to the doctor for a weight reduction program for 6 months and a psych evaluation.

My question for you guys that already have a surgery date:

How long did it take you from the beginning of the process to the time you scheduled surgery? Did you have to take any extra steps because of the insurance?

8 months. Month 9 is my surgery date. Its supposed to be 6 to 7 months but I didn't factor in how long it takes to book specialists.

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I have Anthem BCBS-Ohio and Anthem required me to do a 6 months weight management program with my PVP. I started the program in January I missed my February appointment so Anthem made me start over. Because it had to be 6 consecutive months. They were supper picky. So my 6 months went from March to August. August 1st was my last appointment with my PVP. My info was sent to Anthem on August 1st and I was approved the same day . If you r insurance is as picky as mine do not mis any appointments because you will have to start your 6 months over. Oh I had to do a psych evaluation and blood work and all that. But I think that's the normal things that's need In general.

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We have Blue Cross and ours is basically the same, with a psych evaluation. My first appointment with a primary physician is August 28. What all did you have to do with your doctor? Have you had an appointment with a surgeon at all? Before you were approved

I had to do 6 months of working with a dietician and office visits and weigh ins.
Psych evaluation.
Chest X-ray.
EKG.
Letter of clearance from PCP.
Blood work.

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We have Blue Cross and ours is basically the same, with a psych evaluation. My first appointment with a primary physician is August 28. What all did you have to do with your doctor? Have you had an appointment with a surgeon at all? Before you were approved

During my first appointment I had with my PCP I told him that I was on the journey to having the Bariatric Sleeve done. He thought it was a great idea. He advised me with my BMI being at 48 I definitely qualify. We just basically talked about the pros and cons and the good out weighted the bad as to why I should go through with it. After our talked he put me on an 1800 calorie diet and that was that. My coordinator emailed me a form that the Dr had to fill out on every visit. This form documented my 6 months of weight management that my insurance required for me to do. He would fax it to my coordinator on every visit. Did I stick to the 1800 calorie diet? I'll be honest, no I didn't. But I don't gain any weight. I actually maintained my weight witch was fine. Visit 2-6 I was in and out. I got weighed, vitals taken etc. Basically they just did what was being asked on the form they had to fill out. It wasn't anything major at all.

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During my first appointment I had with my PCP I told him that I was on the journey to having the Bariatric Sleeve done. He thought it was a great idea. He advised me with my BMI being at 48 I definitely qualify. We just basically talked about the pros and cons and the good out weighted the bad as to why I should go through with it. After our talked he put me on an 1800 calorie diet and that was that. My coordinator emailed me a form that the Dr had to fill out on every visit. This form documented my 6 months of weight management that my insurance required for me to do. He would fax it to my coordinator on every visit. Did I stick to the 1800 calorie diet? I'll be honest, no I didn't. But I don't gain any weight. I actually maintained my weight witch was fine. Visit 2-6 I was in and out. I got weighed, vitals taken etc. Basically they just did what was being asked on the form they had to fill out. It wasn't anything major at all.

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Also I did not get my appointment with my surgeon until I was approved by my insurance. At that appointment is when I received my surgery date. My PCP had to also fill out a medical clearance as well.

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I have Empire Blue Cross and they require 6 months continuous care under doctor managed weight loss. It was pretty easy and I loss substantial weight before the surgery