MizzouFan1

Thats odd, because the criteria I need to qualify is different than that. They said I had to have 12 month failed weight loss attempt documented by PCP and psch eval, letter or medical nesseccity, and a BMI of at least 40. I wonder why there would be different requirements? Yeah I am in a hurry because I get kicked of my parent's insurance in FEB '09.

Anybody seen the Michael Moore movie SICKO?:omg: Man, I thought I have insurance issues. There is a man on there who accidentally sawed off the tips of his middle and ring finger. The hospital told him the middle finger would cost him $60,000 to get reattached and the ring finger $12,000. He couldn't afford both so he picked the ring finger. How messed uo is that? :faint:It really makes you think. If you haven't seen it you should. It might give you some insight into what the insurane companies really think about the lap-band surgeries. Even if you aren't a MM fan it is still a powerful film. Just thought I would share.

Andreerichards1- are the surgeries any sheaper in Canada?

Ally I take it you are from KC? I have been looking into Malley Surgical center and have a seminar this saturday! ( my second go-round I missed the last one because I got the meeting times mixed up- fingers crossed!!) Are you planning to self pay? Do you know anything about financing?

I figure whatever works. It really just depends on the person and their particular situation. I am well versed in politics and economics as I am a political science major at UMKC. I do believe Michale Moore is one-sided but it is factually based. Just because a person doesn't like what they are hearing or doesn't want to believe it does not make it any less true. The fact of the matter is- that this stuff does happen and is going on. It is a serious issue facing our country and I would say putting in such a crude and blatant way is the only way to get people to notice that there might actually be a problem. It is pretty evident just on this website alone, with all the serious hassels with the insurance companies. WE are paying them- if it was free I would understand. But, that is my soap box. I just want to get a damn lap band- lol. Don't mean to step on any toes.

Well my thought is- I have to do a 12month supervised diet regime with doctor, dietician, and excercise. Currently, my insurance doesn't pay for office calls. So by the end of 12 months I will have racked up close to 5,000 grand anyway and then what if I invest all that money and still didn't get approved because it isn't like they want to approve me. Obviously, they are making almost impossible to begin with. Then I will have wasted 5,000 when I could just put it towards my surgery. I wouldn't have to convinve some old ass that I "really" need it and that I have been struggling with this my whole life. I can do it when and how I want and I don't feel like I would be throwing it away, it is an ivestment. Think of all the money I will save from buying less food and cheaper clothes. Everybody knows fat people clothes cost like 3 times as much. LOL.

I think that is what I am going to do. About how much does the self-pay run? I know it varies from state to state but there must be some sort of average number?

Yeah- I might be selfpaying too because I don't want get the band and them pay for it and then later "find" something in my medical report and slap me with all the bills out of the blue. That would be a nightmare.

HI, I am newbie and was wondering if anyone knows of any good doctors in the KC area. I would really like a woman-but any good suggestions would help. Thanks so much.:help:

probably not going to be banded in august- but thought the name was really clever! Nice work.

Hey thanks! I appreciate it. So, today is better. I think I am gonna go through aetna through my work and do the 3 month pre-surgery diet thingie. I am just one of those instant gratification girls. How is everyone doing? Kugirl did you get a date? Tracy how is the losing going?

Today is just not my day. I missed the seminar because I could've swore it was at 7pm. I arrived 10 till only to find out I was an hour late and I wouldn't be able to go to another seminar until July 28th. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!! How frusturating. Anyway, KUgirl when is your surgery date? Or do you even have one yet?

so, along with my damn insurance issues- i missed the seminar because I could've sworn it was at 7pm and I arrived at 10 till and the nurse looked at me like I was crazy. I said I need to check in and she said the seminar started at 6pm. I have to wait until the 28th for another seminar and so I think I might go to a different seminar with a different doctor. Ugh! KUg

Has anyone delt with aetna insurance? Are there general requirements before a person can be approved? What about BCBS- anyone had any trouble with them?

:whoo:So, I am really discouraged by my insurance. BCBS is basically making it impossible to have this done. So i have to have 12months of supervised diet and a documentation of this failed attempt. I also have to provide documentation of behavior changes during this time and nutritionist and excersing documentation. I am confused as to why not just exclude coverage all together. that would make this a lot easier. Really bummed and not sure what to do.:think

NO worries KUGirl it will work out. You just have to ask yourself if waiting a year to possibly fix a lifelong struggle( at least for me) is worth it. The problem I am having is being able to actually document my weightloss efforts. I am in school until end of July and then start right back up again in late August. So, i am on a bit of a time crunch. Not that I want to hurry, I just like to be well prepared. And of couse I am anxious to start losing weight. The sooner the better.

Hey guys- nice to know there is some local KC peeps. I have my seminar with Dr. Malley this Thursday. I am a little nervouse because I don't know if I want to wait until Christmas to get it done. I have only certain times where I can be off work and school for long periods of time. My insurance requires me to have proof a dieting for at least a year - well I have been dieting since I was 15 and actually succeeded with WW and lost 50lbs but I have no actual proof. I am not sure what to do about that. Any good suggestions?

Hey thanks so much for all of the good info guys. So, does he have his own clinic or is he part of a larger clinic. I have BCBS insurance and the pay for WLS and the restrictions aren't too bad. Have to have a BMI of 40 and have tried a weight loss program for at leat a year. I think there is one more but I can't remember. I am hoping to get it done at the beginning of August or like around loabor day weekend so I don't miss too much school. For those of you that had the surgery- what was the requirements from Doctor Malley?

Hey thanks so much. Yeah, I heard about him and his clinic. I also thought about the kansas city bariatric center. What kind of requirements does he have? Do you have to wait long for a surgery date?