Letter to Insurance???

So as one of the requirements i have to meet for insurance approval, I need to write a letter to the insurance company with all the stuff i've done to lose weight.

Has any one else had to write something like this?  I don't even know where to begin.

I found these samples in the OH search: Hope they help a bit. First one is an example of one that you would write. the 2nd one is a sample that you could have your PCP complete:

add/delete as necessary and appropriate

http://www.obesityhelp.com/content/letterofmedicalnecessity. html/mode,pcontent/cmsID,2261/letterofmedicalnecessity

OR.....

type up your weight loss history, prepare the letter and give it to your PCP to send to the Insurance office or directly to you or your sugeon.

_______________ is a patient of mine who has been suffering for a long time with morbid obesity. He/She has failed to lose weight despite numerous diet regimes. Below is his/her diet history:

Diet Program (Ex. Weigh****chers)

Dates Length of time on Program (Ex. May 2009 to September 2009)

Weight Loss: 

Weight Loss Weight Regain: 

I am recommending ____________ for weight loss surgery. In my opinon it is the only way that he/she will be able to lose weight and enjoy a normal life. He/She is highly motivated and is a good candidate for the procedure.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Sincerely,

_____________________, MD

I didn't have to write a letter (although now that they have denied me, I just might!) but I had to write down all the diets I could remember that I've ever been on, what they were, how much I lost, how long I was on the diet, how much I gained back after going off of it, etc.  Took forever because I've been on every diet I ever heard of for 30 years!  But even that wasn't good enough for Blue Cross/Blue Shield because they weren't "medically supervised" except for 1.  We're appealing it, but it's a pain in the butt and I don't know how long the appeal process will take. 

Good luck!

Hi cheyrobin I was wondering which bcbs you have?  I have bcbs of tx and they recently changed the requirements. I was told when I called them that if you submit your paperwork after feb 2, 2012 the 6 month supervised diet was no longer required. You may have submitted before that date or have a different policy idk but it would be worth looking into.  Hope this helps a little.  I am in the process of waiting to see if Im approved or not, hoping to find out the beginning of next week.

I have BCBS of Wyoming - I was told I didn't have to do the 6 months of pre-op diet.  What BCBS of WY requires is PROOF of 5 years of morbid obesity and/or (I'm not sure if I need both) 5 years of medically supervised dieting.  I don't know ANYONE who has had 5 straight years of medically supervised dieting (although I'm sure there must be someone out there).  I do have about 1-1/2 years (off and on) that I went to this medically supervised program in CA that we're hoping they will count as that was back in 1995 and 1996 that I went there and since that was over 15 years ago, and I was "obese" back then that we're hoping this will be enough.  When we submitted the paperwork, BCBS didn't believe it was "medically supervised" but I've since gotten a letter from them that we are submitted with the appeal that it IS a medically supervised program and they shouldn't have denied me because of that.

Okay I see now, well it is just crazy how bcbs of different states vary so much as to what they have for requirements.  I'll be crossing my fingers for you I really hope they count what you have already done.  5yrs straight of medically supervised is crazy I never heard of that.  My friend had to submit 5 yrs of medical records but not 5 yrs in a row straight it was sporadic and it was just showing obesity for the 5yrs not a medically supervised diet. Good luck to you!