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A sample diet and exercise program might entail the following:
A nutrition and exercise program must be supervised and monitored by a physician, working in cooperation with appropriately trained dietitians and/or nutritionists, for a total of six months (three consecutive) in the two years prior to surgery with physician notes that include the following:
- Three- to six-month medically supervised weight loss including:
- Dietitian consultation including a reduced-calorie diet
- Increased physical activity documented in the medical record
- Behavior modification
For patients who participate in a physician-supervised nutrition and exercise program, program records documenting the patient's participation and progress may substitute for physician medical records but these criteria must be met:
- Dates for each visit must be documented (a physician summary letter will not suffice)
- If the patient was unable to lose at least 10 percent of his/her body weight, it must be documented in the record as to why
- If a patient cannot exercise, the reason must be clearly documented in the medical record
Please note this is only an example. Insurance requirements are different for each insurance carrier.
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