Hi all - Going with a surgeon in NJ and completed all my preop requirements and they submitted for approval on 1/10 anticipating a surgery date of 2/8. I called insurance to get a heads up and they said they just sent out a denial today for not enough information, specifiying 5 year history and also a 180 day weight loss program, which my surgeon never mentioned. I started the process in September so if i knew i had to be in a specific program, i would have started. I havent talked to the surgeons office yet but i am guessing 2/8 is out of the question. For reference, i am 39, 5'6, 360 lbs and i have been over 300 since 2010. What do they typically need and who does the supervised diet?

My other concern is how long all this testing i just did is good for. I had a stress test, stomach ultrasound, echocardiogram, lots of blood work, upper GI study, psych eval, and all required nutritonist appts. am i going to have to do this all again?

Edited January 24, 20233 yr by DTB583

What kind of insurance do you have? Self pay or through your job?

So the 5 year history typically means they want to know how long you've been obese, what comorbidities you have and how long you've had them, what meds you've had to take for them and how long, etc... The supervised diet would be either 6 months working with a dietician or having done things like doctor supervised keto, or Jenny Craig, or Weight Watchers, or a low calorie/low fat diet (again, doctor supervised). If you have done any of these, they want to know the results.

My Dr made it really clear at my first appointment that it is the patients responsibility to call and get exact specifications on what your individual insurance requires. They even made me sign a form stating they are not responsible if I don't call them and then later get denied. I have Aetna and I have to complete 12 dietary appointments (no specific time frame) as well as the list on clearances. I know other insurance companies require 6 or 12 months of dietary appointments.

41 minutes ago, viviand said:

What kind of insurance do you have? Self pay or through your job?

Meritain, it’s part of Aetna. It’s through my job though i still pay a lot lol

36 minutes ago, SleeveDiva2022 said:

So the 5 year history typically means they want to know how long you've been obese, what comorbidities you have and how long you've had them, what meds you've had to take for them and how long, etc... The supervised diet would be either 6 months working with a dietician or having done things like doctor supervised Keto, or Jenny Craig, or Weight Watchers, or a low calorie/low fat diet (again, doctor supervised). If you have done any of these, they want to know the results.

I mean, i have doctor records from physicals 4-5 years ago that have my weight and everything. I haven’t had any medical problems yet, just slightly high cholesterol. I have been a member of weight watchers for years but off and on.

17 minutes ago, kla7403 said:

My Dr made it really clear at my first appointment that it is the patients responsibility to call and get exact specifications on what your individual insurance requires. They even made me sign a form stating they are not responsible if I don't call them and then later get denied. I have Aetna and I have to complete 12 dietary appointments (no specific time frame) as well as the list on clearances. I know other insurance companies require 6 or 12 months of dietary appointments.

In my handbook it does mention it being needed and i told the coordinator at my surgeon who said that my letter of medical necessity should suffice for that considering how overweight i am. I guess i will see what i can gather.

your PCP's records of your weight for the last five years should count for that five-year requirement. For supervised diet, usually people work with their PCP or a registered dietititian (although some insurance will accept things like Weight Watchers, if it's documented - you'll have to ask them). You shouldn't need to have any co-morbidities at a weight of 360. Most insurance companies don't require you to have co-morbidities to approve the surgery unless your BMI is under 40.

This happened to me. Did all the testing day prior to surg cancel insurance denial And I did 3 appeals and lost I had proof of weight watchers. Diet pills etc. they wouldn’t take. I have Cigna. 2/10 I am leaving for Mexico ! I have no choice

On 1/24/2023 at 4:07 PM, kla7403 said:

My Dr made it really clear at my first appointment that it is the patients responsibility to call and get exact specifications on what your individual insurance requires. They even made me sign a form stating they are not responsible if I don't call them and then later get denied. I have Aetna and I have to complete 12 dietary appointments (no specific time frame) as well as the list on clearances. I know other insurance companies require 6 or 12 months of dietary appointments.

I also have Aetna and have been trying to find others experience with them so thank you for this comment! My surgeons office did not inform me to call the insurance company for any reason but I plan to just to make sure everything is understood. My surgeons office says I have:

12 dietary appointments (no specific time frame)

Gallbladder ultrasound

hpylori test

sleep study

psych eval

1 nutrition class & 1 nutritionist follow up

Do you mind explaining what "the list on clearances" is?

I just wanted to update everyone and say my insurance approved me 7 days before my surgery which is tomorrow! Once i got the call i started my liquid diet LOL

On 2/7/2023 at 11:16 AM, DTB583 said:

I just wanted to update everyone and say my insurance approved me 7 days before my surgery which is tomorrow! Once i got the call i started my liquid diet LOL

Was there something you did that got it approved?

I have no idea what my surgeon sent them but they said they sent them what they wanted. I had my surgery Wednesday and I’m home now.

I have no idea what my surgeon sent them but they said they sent them what they wanted. I had my surgery Wednesday and I’m home now.

Congratulations! I had mine on the 1st. I'm thrilled yours worked out so quickly. Mine took over 18 months. But I'm glad it's done. And thrilled for you!