I know all insurances are different but wondering if anyone has guidance. I’m in Florida but have BCBS Texas. I have a BMI of 40.6. I can’t seem to get an answer to whether or not I lose procedure coverage if I lose weight on the preop diet and my bmi drops before 40. I’ve called my insurance twice, and reviewed the plan documents. Incidentally the plan documents do not require a diet at all preop. The insurers I’ve spoken to just recommend reviewing the documents but say they can provide no more guidance at this time. What should my next step be? If I don’t lose any weight on the preop diet is that an issue?

You can talk to the surgery center. Usually the person who manages insurance submissions is really familiar with these details and can answer that. I know many plans use the weight from the visit before the pre-op diet, but it's hard to know. I haven't had any in-person visits due to COVID, so they've just been asking me to tell them my weight. I've actually been trying not to lose weight now because they won't weigh me in person until I check in for surgery and my BMI had gotten down to 41.6, so I know I will lose weight on the "shrink the liver diet". You don't want to not lose weight on the two week "shrink the liver diet" because that is important to put you in a good place for the surgeons to have an easier time to move your liver out of the way for surgery, so you have a lower chance of complications. While the goal of the diet immediately before surgery isn't to lose weight, most people do lose weight, especially if it is a liquid diet.

jenig, I know it’s been a while since this post but did your surgery get approved? And if so, what plan did you have through bcbs? Thanks!!