So at my initial consultation today I was told my insurance requires a six-month wait. Is this normal? What is the point?

Thanks,

Sydney

Hi Sydney, and welcome to LBT. Actually, if you are going through insurance, yes, it is normal. Most of them also require a supervised diet during that waiting period. I am not sure of the reasoning behind that, as I was self pay. I think part of it may be to show your commitment to losing weight. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable in this area will respond to you.

Susan's right on the money. Some insurance policies require a 3 or 6 month supervised diet. You can call your insurance company yourself to verify that you actually do have that. In fact, I recommend that. I heard at my doctor's office that some insurance policies have now dropped the supervised diet requirement so you might be affected by that change and the doctor's office is assuming it's still in effect. Definitely worth checking on!

I am doing my six month "diet" now. I wonder what the insurance company does if you dont lose any or lose "a little"?

I am doing my six month "diet" now. I wonder what the insurance company does if you dont lose any or lose "a little"?

Gina, I'm getting ready to start my 3 month "diet" and I wonder what they do if you lose too much! Will they say, "Denied b/c you proved you can do it on your own"? Or what if you lose too much and you end up going under the BMI requirements?

I just finished my 3 month program. I was bummed I had to do it at first, but decided to really do it and I have lost 32 pounds so far. So, I feel like it gave me a big head start. I did ask the nurse if I should slow down or maintain till approval and she looked at me like was I crazy and was like "no, they love to see your losing weight". She said my Insurance actually wants to see that. I don't have any co-morbidities either, but my BMI is in the upper 40's, so for those who weight less and are close to the BMI cut off I totally understand why your worried, I would be too (and still am honestly). I also think they submit you with your original weight.

I have my last appointment/consult on August 11th and then they will submit for insurance approval. I am really nervous, but I have taken this all very seriously and hope they see that I am preparing myself for this.

I would ask your patient co-ordinator and nurse at the office. They are the ones who do this everyday and will be able to tell you what to worry about or not. It will give you peace of mind and allow you to get into this prep stage. I can't wait and just hope I get approved at this point!!!