Insurance madness...

I am a military wife, and Tricare has agreed for me to see a bariatric surgeon and to pay for the surgery.  However, they require a 3-month supervised weight loss trial before then (which I expected).  The crazy people have DENIED to nutritionist consult!   DUH!  You ordered it people!  I guess the big deal is that I was specific in wanting to use the one my surgeon typically works with, but they don't want to pay him.  Here's hoping I can get this done through the base and that the surgeon and whoever Tricare does want to pay can see eye to eye. 

I ran into the same thing with my insurance.  They basically said, before you can even SEE a surgeon you have to do a weight loss program with OUR choice for nutritional follow up. AND you have to pay $1450 out of your own pocket up front. There was all kinds of criteria but basically it amounted to me paying, having PHONE consults and then losing 5% of my weight. Once all that was done, I got into the surgeon of my choice, followed his protocol, met with his NUT and team and the cleared for surgery.  It took about 8 months( I took my time losing the 5%.. had to get my head around what I was doing). I had my surgery 4 weeks ago and all that crap is behind me now. Bottom line, is we are lucky to get this paid for even though we still have to pay something some people are denied and denied and denied. Jump through whatever hoops they make you, and stay tight with your surgeon and next thing you will be on your way!! Be patient and be prepared for snags, but persist.. GOOD LUCK!!!!

Thank you!  You're right, we're lucky that any of it is paid for by insurance.  Thanks for putting it back into perspective! 

In preparation for my surgery, I used the nutritionist at the base.  After my surgery, I used the one of my choice but did have to pay for it out of pocket.

I don't have Tricare, but my insurance told me I had to do a 90-day multi-disciplinary surgical preparatory regimen, that included regular doctor visists, nutritionist visits, nurse visits, etc.  What are they paying towards that program?  Nothing!  I am paying almost $700 a month (shakes and food included).  Ugh.

But the good news is that the hard work (and money) paid off because I was finally approved!

Crazy what insurance makes us do!