That Fat Chick

I emailed my insurance provider around 4am, and they replied this afternoon (I <3 them for their quick response!):

The following gastric restrictive procedures: gastric bypass using a
short Roux-en-Y anastomosis (less than 150 cm), vertical banded
gastroplasty, gastric stapling, or adjustable lap banded gastroplasty
may be considered medically necessary and appropriate for treatment of
morbid obesity.

Your policy does provide benefits for eligible surgical expenses when
determined to be medically necessary. [Blah blah blah, insurance talk about deductibles and such.]

Your policy requires preauthorization for these types of surgical
procedures. This means that your provider will need to contact our
Clinical Management department prior to the surgery and your inpatient
admission. Clinical Management will determine whether the service is
medically necessary.

I wanted to cry in relief when I read that letter. It does echo most of what the woman I spoke to on the phone with last fall said to me. It’s good to see it reaffirmed in writing!

And I definitely meet the “medically necessary” criteria, particularly in regards to having a BMI of over 40 (48-49) AND being 100 lbs. or more overweight (my ideal weight is 121 lbs. - 155 lbs. and I’m currently 309 lbs. You do the math!).

Excuse me while I float off on my cloud…

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