Hey guys!!! I️ recently met with my surgeon for a consultation. I️ was told that my insurance required a 6 month supervised diet. From the policy I️ read, I️ saw NOTHING that specified 6 months. Does anyone have BCBS IL, if so what was your experience?

BCBS MD -- I've seen a little runaround on this issue -- surgeon says its a an insurance issue, insurance says its a medical issue. I've concluded that its inevitable, and everyone is making money in the meanwhile. While we wait.

I found that’s very common with a lot of insurances, some have 3 month, some 6 and others 9! I have a private insurance and they required a 6 month nutrition class which I found out pretty much educated me on what to expect post op, how and when to take my vitamins, what not to do and how to be successful. They also had me do a swallow test, upper endoscopy, labs, psych eval, 1 class with a dietitian and record everything I ate for 4 of the six months. Some have also had to do a sleep test but they didn’t require one from me. I thought it was going to take forever but it goes by faster then you think. After I jumped through ALL the hoops my insurance approved and covered 100% and I had surgery the next week! I’m just 2 week’s post op! Looking back all the tests and info I had gotten really was good in helping me now and in making sure I was safe. You can do it!! Wishing you the best.

I found that’s very common with a lot of insurances, some have 3 month, some 6 and others 9! I have a private insurance and they required a 6 month nutrition class which I found out pretty much educated me on what to expect post op, how and when to take my vitamins, what not to do and how to be successful. They also had me do a swallow test, upper endoscopy, labs, psych eval, 1 class with a dietitian and record everything I ate for 4 of the six months. Some have also had to do a sleep test but they didn’t require one from me. I thought it was going to take forever but it goes by faster then you think. After I jumped through ALL the hoops my insurance approved and covered 100% and I had surgery the next week! I’m just 2 week’s post op! Looking back all the tests and info I had gotten really was good in helping me now and in making sure I was safe. You can do it!! Wishing you the best.

I️ just reposted your reply on accident lol but thanks so much. You’re right it’s all for the patients benefit but I’m so impatient[emoji31] lol

Yes i had 6 months too and had to do supervised weight management for them too

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Yes i had 6 months too and had to do supervised weight management for them too

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You have BCBS IL?

No BCBS in NY

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Hey guys!!! I️ recently met with my surgeon for a consultation. I️ was told that my insurance required a 6 month supervised diet. From the policy I️ read, I️ saw NOTHING that specified 6 months. Does anyone have BCBS IL, if so what was your experience?

I have BCBS IL and, yes, they require 6 months of supervised diet. My clinic offers it as part of the service. I'm not finding it very useful ... just something I have to do. Dr said basically they want to be sure you can't lose it on your own ... I can't.

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Hello! I have BCBS Illinois and was just approved last month for my sleeve surgery on 11/16. You do NOT need 6 months of nutrition classes for your insurance. They also no longer require you to lose weight before surgery. My surgeons office tried to tell me the same thing at first because most bcbs insurances require it. BCBS Illinois only requires one meeting with a nutritionist. However my surgeon did require 3 months of classes. I would print out your policy and bring it with you to your appointment. Feel free to message me with any questions! Good luck!

Edited November 11, 20178 yr by Lady83

Hello! I have BCBS Illinois and was just approved last month for my sleeve surgery on 11/16. You do NOT need 6 months of nutrition classes for your insurance. They also no longer require you to lose weight before surgery. My surgeons office tried to tell me the same thing at first because most bcbs insurances require it. BCBS Illinois only requires one meeting with a nutritionist. However my surgeon did require 3 months of classes. I would print out your policy and bring it with you to your appointment. Feel free to message me with any questions! Good luck!

Thanks so much for responding!!! I️ don’t even think the insurance coordinator called BC because just like you mentioned, most of BCBS requires it. It’s always good to do your own research!

I have BCBS IL and, yes, they require 6 months of supervised diet. My clinic offers it as part of the service. I'm not finding it very useful ... just something I have to do. Dr said basically they want to be sure you can't lose it on your own ... I can't.

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I️ definitely understand that. It’s like if I️ could lose weight on my own I️ wouldn’t be trying to have the surgery lol

Right!!

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I went to the seminar had my first nutrtional meeting.Have to have 3 more. Nov 20 will be my second one. Made arrangements for the psychological in Dec. I am ahead of everything. Talk to my insurance company. Just hope this goes good. I have a very good Doctor. If there is any advice anybody can give it would be appreciated.

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If you call BCBS they will set you up with a patient advocate (an RN) that is there to answer all of your questions. She will go over everything with you so you know exactly what is required for approval.

Hey guys!!! I️ recently met with my surgeon for a consultation. I️ was told that my insurance required a 6 month supervised diet. From the policy I️ read, I️ saw NOTHING that specified 6 months. Does anyone have BCBS IL, if so what was your experience?

I'm also in Illinois, but have anthem BCBS. They required a 6 month supervised diet for me and my wife. At first I wasn't happy, but it ended up being the best thing ever! The wait sucked, but I had a great weight loss doctor and dietitian. I learned how to eat, and lost 35lbs during those 6 months. It set me up for success post op. I already knew how to eat, and it's been smooth sailing. I'm 3 months post op, and 18lbs from my goal weight.