Question:
I have one comorbity and.....
I only have one comorbity and it is high blood pressure. Besides that I really don't know if I will be approved. I have only been through one commercialized diet, but have been on numerous diets on my own. I have seen nutritionists and other specialists as well as a list of doctors. I have been obese for at least eight years. During these eight years I have been put into every health and nutrition class they had and passed, so I am a little educated on the subject of healthy eating, but I have failed repeatedly. I am at my wits end because I do not know if this enough to get me approved. — Caroline C. (posted on March 13, 2002)
March 13, 2002
You did not mention what your BMI is. But,if that is high enough, you sound
like you have a fairly good chance to me. The best thing to do is to go see
a DR. He can give you guidance. Sometimes you have co morbs that you are
not even aware of. Good luck!
— ScatCat
March 13, 2002
Caroline, one of the prerequisites to getting approval is to prove that you
have been on numerous diets and diet plans and that dieting has'nt helped
you to lose the weight. Make sure that you document all diets you have been
on, this will help in the decision making process. As far as high blood
pressure, I think that is a serious enough co-morbidity, heck I don't even
have that. Take a look at Leeanne Krause's profile, she has alot of great
information and it has helped me alot. I hope that I have helped you in
some way, good luck!!!
— Christine B.
March 13, 2002
The only way to know what you need to have surgery is to ask your insurance
companies. Some require diet history. Some don't. Some require physician
supervised weight loss attempts. Some don't. Some want you to have
co-morbidities no matter what your BMI is. Some don't. Getting the
picture? Your HR Dept at work should be able to give you a copy of the
policy, or the book they send out that explains it.
— garw
March 14, 2002
My BMI is 54 or something like that. As far as diets I have been on diets
since I was ten or eleven (Mom induced) and now I am eighteen and have been
on diets I put myself on or doctor has put me on. I have Cigna Healthcare,
but am not sure if it is an HMO or PPO, but I do know that my Mother has
had problems with them over something as important as coverage on her
diabetic Medication. I have a strong family history of obesity, high blood
pressure, diabetes etc. I have been battling high blood pressure since
pediatric care and have been on medication for about two years, partally
because I avoided doctor visits like the plague for a short period. If
anyone has Cigna Healthcare please let me know what you went through.
Thanks.
— Caroline C.
March 14, 2002
I had NO comorbidities and I was approved. Since I was more then 100
pounds over my ideal weight and I had a BMI over 40, the insurance approved
me for the surgery. If my BMI had not been over 40, I would have had to
have had a comorbidity such as yours to have been approved.
— Patty H.
March 14, 2002
I had no clinically diaginosed co-morbities when I started my quest to have
my WLS. I found a surgeon within my plan and made my appointment and
started with him. I had a bunch of aches and pains, a strong family
history of diabetes, heart related issues and yes, obesity! My surgeon did
all of the paperwork and got my approval. Now while I was waiting I saw a
WLS friendly Internal Medicine physician (she is the greatest) and I did
find that I do have hypertension and my cholestrol is a little high, but I
am working on thoses things. In summary, you have to start somewhere.
Find a good surgeon in your area within your insurance plan and make an
appointment! You owe it to yourself and your own well-being to find out if
you are eligible. Check for surgeons in your area and use this site to
help in your search. You'll be glad you did! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!
— Kathy M.
March 14, 2002
Caroline, I don't have Cigna, but I wanted you to know that just because
your mom had problems with her meds, doesn't mean that Cigna will not help
you. My HMO (Aetna) will not cover my arthritis medication (because 26 yr
olds don't get arthritis, yeah, right!!) but, they are going to cover my
WLS because of my arthritis. Go figure. These decisions are made by
seperate departments and each has their own criteria. Good luck and don't
give up!
— cjabates
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