Update on Leah

Hello! So sorry for the lapse in my postings. Lots has been going on. My insurance company changed on 10-1, and so I have been working with Mary Trampler and scrambling to make sure we have all our t's crossed and i's dotted. I should be having surger in April 2007. I meet all the insurance qualifications, and the only thing I am still working on is the 6 month physician supervised diet/exercise program...and I am on month 2 of that and things are just rolling along. My PCP is out of network now with my new insurance, but I am sticking with him. But the nice thing about my Humana coverage is the surgery is COVERED!!! Woohoo I hope everyone is well. I think of posting often, and I look forward to getting caught up.

What kind of Humana coverage do you have? My wife has Humana and they have told her that they don't cover WLS. I would be interested to know. Thanks. Scott

Scott - We have Humana ChoiceCare. I was sure it was going to be denied, but Mary Trampler called and got everything sorted out and it is covered with 2 things from me (on top of the pre-surgery requirements that I have already completed - dietician, physiologist, behavioral class, and pysch eval). 1.) Prior Policy coverage proof...i believe it is called a "Certificate of Credible Coverage" from my previous insurance which was Great West. 2.) 6 month doctor supervised program. I am on my way!!! Hey Lana - It looks like we may be having surgery around the same time...how wonderful would that be?!?!? TTYL, Leah

Scott - We have Humana ChoiceCare. I was sure it was going to be denied, but Mary Trampler called and got everything sorted out and it is covered with 2 things from me (on top of the pre-surgery requirements that I have already completed - dietician, physiologist, behavioral class, and pysch eval). 1.) Prior Policy coverage proof...i believe it is called a "Certificate of Credible Coverage" from my previous insurance which was Great West. 2.) 6 month doctor supervised program. I am on my way!!! Hey Lana - It looks like we may be having surgery around the same time...how wonderful would that be?!?!? TTYL, Leah

great news on the coverager from your insurance. . think harder about posting lol and then do it. Love Jan

Leah, So good to see you on the site. I am just finishing month four of my six month diet and exercise program. My insurance won't pay for me to see Dr. Hodges until I finish the six months but I'm hoping to have surgery around Easter or sooner. I was very pleased that our insurance for 2007 didn't change much. That was a big concern for me. I can't start getting any consults out of the way until I see Dr. Hodges but some of the people I see at New Images, dietitian and psychologist, said they are the people he uses so they may be able to just write a letter since I've been seeing them regularly. I also have to do the all day seminar after the approval. I expect to be denied the first time, just seems like almost everyone except Medicare is denied the first time. My PCP is solidly behind me so I think that is a positive thing in my favor. I am anxious to stop being diabetic, that is a big motivation for me. No one in my family has even been diabetic despite being morbidly obese so I feel certain it is my poor choices early in life that are coming home to roost. I will be so happy when I can finally get finished with the diet/exercise protocol and get on the home stretch. Let's try to keep in touch about where we are in the process. Hugs, Lana