McLaren Health Plan
Weight Management

Weight Management

McLaren Health Plan cares about you and your family. Your health is very important to us. Let McLaren Health Plan work closely with you and your primary care physician to help you create a healthy life style and support your efforts to obtain a healthy weight.

Our Taking It Off program provides educational materials and support from our nursing staff. Your nurse at McLaren Health Plan will update you on nutrition and exercise and many ideas for a healthy life style.

You can enroll in Taking It Off by calling us at (888) 327‑0671. Start today and become a healthier you!

Last Updated 01/09/2018

Please Note: There may be links on the McLaren Advantage website that take you to non-McLaren Advantage information. By clicking these links you will be leaving the McLaren Advantage web pages.

Bariatric Surgery FAQs

Question: Is bariatric weight loss surgery a covered benefit?

Answer: Yes, once the patient has met all the criteria and has been reviewed by our Medical Management department.

Question: How do I qualify?

Answer:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • Your doctor has ruled out other treatable reasons you are over-weight like hypothyroidism
  • Six months successful (regular attendance and consistent weight loss) participation in a physician supervised weight loss program within the last two years. Program includes diet, exercise, and behavioral modification.
  • BMI great than 35 with 2 uncontrolled medical conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea not controlled by CPAP, high blood pressure not controlled by medication, uncontrolled high cholesterol, or severe heart or lung disease
  • BMI greater than 40 with or without medical conditions
  • Must pass a psychological evaluation for bariatric surgery performed by a licensed independent behavioral specialist
  • Be evaluated by a contracted multi-disciplinary facility, for example McLaren Bariatric Institute

All the above information will be sent to McLaren Health Plan for medical necessity review by your doctor.

  • If this is approved, an authorization number will be sent to your provider.
  • If this is not approved, a denial letter will be sent to you and your provider.