Why do you have to fight with your insurance company to get them to pay for something that they say they cover? I’ve been overweight my whole life and no matter what I do I can’t lose the extra weight. I want to have lap band surgery but my insurance company denied my request even though my policy states that it is a covered procedure. It turns out they denied it because four years ago I went on phentermine and lost 60 pounds – but my policy says you must have a five year history with a BMI of 40 or higher. I can’t believe they are punishing me for trying to get healthy! Now my surgeon said I should try to appeal and explain why the weight went down. I found a sample patient appeal letter and am working on writing my appeal letter to them. I’m so frustrated that the insurance company tries to get out of paying for something they say is covered. Don’t they want me to get healthy?