Has anyone had to see a..

Has anyone had to see an exercise physiologist in order to obtain approval for their insurance?  If so, what happened at your appointment ?

Thanks ahead of time !

Yes I had to have a psych eval before I could have surgery.  It was no big deal.  She just talked to me about how my weight had been a struggle and if I was mentally prepared for the lifestyle change that the surgery would require.   She kinda took a family history and a medical history.  It was over in about an hour and she sent a report to my doctor.

I've never heard of that requirement (Psychiatrist, yes; physiologist, no.) Is the appointment covered by your insurance?

Ironically, Aetna required it as part of the 3-month multi-disciplinary plan (instead of a 6-month diet), but they wouldn't cover the cost.  I got lucky and was never billed for it because they and just started doing it through my surgeon's office and by the time they realized they had not billed me, it was too late to do so!

It seems pretty silly, though, not to mention annoying, to require multiple visits that they won't pay for.  maybe that is intentional to get more people to do the 6 month diet option.

Lora

It wasn't an insurance requirement for me but the hospital I went to required it as part of their program. I went to 3 group meetings, all three the NUT spoke and at one of them the exercise physiologist spoke too. She just talked to us about exercise (go figure), muscle mass, the changes that will happen to our body, things of that nature.

Yes.....our program at Catholic Mefidical Center in Manchester,NH requires 2 visits pre-op and one 3 months post-op.

I had to see one before my Lap Band surgery. We just talked about what I did for exercise, what I liked to do and would be successful with after surgery and what I needed to do to lose. (Amount if time, strength vs. cardio etc). They also measured my body fat. It was a pretty easy expierience. Good luck!

It isn't required by my program but in the classes they said that anyone with issues exercising safely/effectively due to nagging injuries or complications from their size will get a referral from their dietician to a physical therapist to help them come up with a safe workout plan.

Yes, it was one of Aetna's requirements when I had my surgery.  I had to meet with him 4 times for the 3-month multi-disciplinary program.  The first meeting, we talked about my problems with me knees, and the limitations that (and my weight) presented with physical activity, the types of activities I liked (or liked before I gained so much weight!), finding time to work in some physical activity, and set p a plan for what I would do each week that was realistic for me.  At the other three sessions, I went over my exercise log with him, talked about where I was doing well and what I was having trouble with, etc.  

Lora

p.s.  my surgeon required one visit at 6 weeks post op as well, but that was covered under part of her fees.

Was not required by my insurance (BCBS CareFirst) but was required by my surgeon and was included in her out-of-pocket fee. Had to meet 2x before surgery, to obtain baseline fitness pre-op and orient to the exercise equipment and then had 10 more visits pre-paid for postop. I think I used most of them and got a lot of positive feedback with my progress as the weight came off!