Call from Insurance

I got a call today from a nurse from UHC, she said this is a service I have with my policy.  She asked my height, weight, why I want the surgery, what diets have I tried in the past, how much weight did I lose.  It was like she was trying to talk me out of having the surgery.  She told me that I am still young and I don't want to have a surgery at my age if I don't have to.  She asked me if I ever tried Marena, I guess it is a diet pill that tells your brain you are full, I told her no.  She said I should try to lose weight on my own longer before getting the band.  I have been trying for 10 yrs., what more does she want??  I don't understand why she called, I am already approved, I hope that don't mean they can unapprove me now.  Has anyone had this happen?

I have Anthem BCBS and they started a program to where a nurse calls & checks to see how you're doing if you're having any medical procedures/complications. I still email & talk on the phone with mine. I think it's her job to suggest alternatives when there are alternatives. I don't 'think' your conversation with her has anything to do with any approvals, etc. Mine did try to act as a liazon for me with Mid America Labs because they submitted some bloodwork with the wrong code & Anthem wouldn't pay for it..so they tried to get me to pay for their mistake (which..I am STILL waiting for them to correct & the bloodwork was done on January 10th!). My nurse definately lets her own personality show through. Your's probably does too. If/when she calls back, you may want to ask her what her opinion of weight loss surgery is. If it's negative, you may want to dial the # on the back of your insurance card and request a different nurse..one who is going to be supportive of you & YOUR (not hers!) decision to have WLS.              All in all, I think the insurance companies really do have their customers (you & I) in mind with having a nurse contact us. Many people won't go to the doctor until it's about 2 weeks past when they should have went but if a nurse calls them? They are more willing to express their concerns then I think. Just be sure that if this same nurse calls that it is YOUR concerns that are addressed..NOT  her opinions. You are the patient. You are the customer. You (or your company) pays for their services. If your PCP & bariatric surgeon are both in agreement that your health would benefit from WLS, who is she to say otherwise? If she calls back and makes another statment  about you should wait, I would remind her that is not the opinion of your doctor or of your surgeon.           Sherri