Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Frustrated

So I tried to take a step in the right direction today and it toally backfired and I'm sitting in my cubicle at work trying not to kick and scream and cry like a baby.

I thought that I would go to a nutritionist. I wonder about it being beneficial to me, because I basically know what I SHOULD be doing, but I'm just choosing not to... but, I thought it was worth a try. And it would be effort towards doing something good for myself. So I called my insurance to see about coverage for a nutritionist. Some plans require you to have a referral from a doctor or they won't cover the services.

So, I talk to insurance girl for awhile and she researches it and my plan doesn't cover a nutritionist for weight loss specifically. That I have to have a documented health problem to be able to have the services covered. And since I don't have a problem like diabetes or high blood pressure & am "healthy" then it's not covered. SINCE WHEN IS OBESITY NOT A HEALTH PROBLEM?!!?!

So I have to just wait until I have a heart murmur or my pancreas stops producing insulin before they will cover my visit? This is such bullshit.

*edit* I called insurance again to get a second opinion... to ask that if I got a referral from a doc that it's medically reccomended to lose weight, would it be covered. She said that the doc could send in a referral to insurance, but that it probably wouldnt' be approved b/c seeing a nutritionist for a weight loss program specifically, with no health problems, is not covered. Nevermind the fact that I am at RISK for tons of health problems, I just don't have them yet. What about preventative medicine? So they won't let me see a nutritionist now, but say in a year when I have to see a doc b/c I am having health problems, it's going to cost insurance a hell of a lot more money then than it would now. I feel so angry. It took so much for me to get on that phone, to make the decision that I would see someone, and now it's not even possible. It's hard to admit that you cannot help yourself & you need someone to help you... and even harder after you try and try again and get nowhere. I can see why people remain overweight if they dont' get anywhere when trying. Why bother, right?

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bullcrap indeed. That's infuriating and I can totally understand that you feel upset about it. Would it be worth speaking to your doctor about it? I'm not saying he should make something up but maybe he knows a way around this... somehow.

Jen said...

I agree. Insurance sucks. I have a mother, 3 aunts and a grandmother who all had breast cancer pre-menopause and my insurance won't cover for me to get genetics testing done. Hello - I'm super high risk. Anyways, I'd go talk to your doctor and get them to write the letter. Who knows, maybe it will get approved. Good luck.

Chubby Chick said...

In plain English... that really sucks, and I'm sorry you had to deal with that crap today!

The Fat Foreigner said...

That blows, all this talk of how 'fat people shouldn't get xyz because they 're putting themselves at risk and then refusing to hep you take steps to reduce those risks and save themselves money later. Sense! It makes it not!

How much wuld a visit to the nutritionalist cost you? Could you just pay for it?

The Fat Foreigner said...

Wow, that's insanity money! Failoing that then, I would say look through the different plans we all see everywhere, pick a few that you think might work for you, and try them each for a week, at least you'll be able to weed out what doesn;t work for you.

Heather said...

that is the totally crappy thing about most insurance companies. mine is the same way. a coworker of mine has a lot of back problems but the insurance wont cover because it is "preventative". so he has to wait until he can barely walk? it definitely is crappy, but dont lose hope. what if you attended an overeaters anonymous type of meeting? sure its not one on one counseling with a nutritionist, but it is a place you could turn to for support that is free. Or check into a college that is nearby and see if they offer anything. I know the school I went to for grad school offered counseloing for those outisde of the school because their grad and phd students wanted experience. worth a shot anyways. I know you will find something!

on a side note, I love the layout of your blog and went to the website with her other templates, but none of them work for me. I emailed the girl and she said she couldnt help. did you have problems installing it?

Princess Dieter aka Mir said...

I do think that's utterly short-sighted of insurance carriers. I suppose they know it mostly won't help.

I say that from what I've read (most folks don't keep the weight off, even with dietitians) and from personal experience:

I saw my first dietitian in 1989. Lost about 29 pounds. Gained it all back, plus.

I saw my second dietitian in 1998. Lost 18 pounds. Gained back double.

I saw my third dietitian in 2004. Lost 8 pounds. Gained back 15, but then lost it again on my own.

I think dietitians are great if a person has little nutritional knowledge or does well with a weekly authority figure/cheerleader. I would recommend it in those cases.

For folks with a good knowledge base of nutrition and who keep up with nutritional new online or via magazines or books, or who don't benefit from some sort of weekly 30 minute food session/measurement/cousnel, then it's just money down the drain, honestly.

I'd still say that try it once, to see how you respond to it. But the fact is that if you know what to eat, if you read online nutritional info, a nutritionist can't do much more for you than Weight Watchers, unless they are truly exceptional. Well, I take that back--they can help you work out an eating plan for your health conditions (I have several). That's a good thing.

But don't think that you missed anything huge. Trust me, after three bouts with nutritionists spanning 3 decades, I can't say that it was all that and a bag of chips. It was just okay.

I'd rather get insurance to pay for a cognitive therapist or a lap-band, frankly.

The Princess

Twix said...

You made a huge step forward! I am proud of you!! Yes, I agree, it's bullshit! But what matters here is that you did something for you. Even if that something didn't produce what you had hoped for. It does matter. You are still fighting! And that is a good thing. Don't ever give up the fight for Teale!!

Lyn said...

They are ridiculous! Don't let them stop you from your goals though. Just because THEY want us to have a heart attack before we get any services covered, doesn't mean we gotta do it. They can stick it.

Maybe you can find a good, highly rated nutrition book on Amazon. You can always learn some new tidbits. In the meanwhile I think you're right... you know mainly what to do. Cut the junk, watch the portions, eat veggies, fruits, lean meats, whole grains. You can do it Teale.

Brittany said...

Nutritionists, at least around here, aren't all that they're cracked up to be. Every one I've been to has basically told me everything I already know. For PCOS..eat this and don't eat that. For hypothyroisim, eat this and don't eat that. Umm..I know that. Tell me something I don't already know, mmkay? That being said, if you really want to see a nutritionist, go to the doctor. Have bloodwork done. Tell the doctor that you want to go to a nutritionist but your insurance won't cover it for weight loss. See if there is any slight issue with your blood work. If there is something, anything, have your doctor write a referral to a nutritionist for that and voila! You can go to a nutritionist. Good luck hon!

Anonymous said...

You hit the nail on the head Teale, I have all of my menus that I made up for LAWL and I lost almost 35 lbs on it. I have gained back 13.8 of it but its all from pure laziness. If you are interested in them, let me know.

I just wrote a half frustrating post on my diet blog as well. I'm mad! I need motivation again.

I've been thinking about starting a team/month long challenge. Every weight loss challenge lasts one month. Whoever wins will win something nice/diet friendly.

Hugs.

Sean said...

That is freaking ridiculious!!!! Your insurance should at least cover part of it even if it's not included in your plan services.

I work with a dietician. She's not a nutritionist persay but I'm guessing it's close enough. I'm sure she wouldn't mind talking to you via email or something. She's VERY nice and is always giving girls in our office advice.

Twix said...

just checking in on you....

How are you doing?

Heather said...

I agree with the comment you left on my blog - it's nice to find a peer.

I don't think you need a dietician. I think you need to listen to your body. What's worked in the past? What doesn't work? What makes you happy? What doesn't? If you listen closely enough, you're body is capable of telling you everything it needs. Good luck! I'll add you to my list!