phewforaminutethere

Hey guys, I've been exploring surgery as an option for several months now, doing research and such. I recently learned that my employer has WLS as an exclusion on our plans (we use United Healthcare) so I would have to pay for all of it out of pocket. :/ I have a couple of questions, though (just need some help, I'm a complete newb at insurance). We're about to have open enrollment again for the company next week, should I consider ditching insurance through my employer and paying for a different plan through a provider that does cover it? Or should I see if there's a different/supplemental plan my employer/UHC has that does cover WLS? Sorry if any of that is jumbled or confusing, I'm just looking for some advice to see what I should do next. Thanks in advance!

Okay guys, I wanted to just thank all of your for your help! Really, I appreciate it and it made making this decision a whole lot easier. I have decided to just pay for it on my own. There's no way my company is going to add this to their policy and unfortunately I don't feel like wasting my time trying to get them to do it. I'm going to contact my local bank and see about getting a loan. I had a consultation with Dr. Kim earlier and he and his staff were very helpful about what I needed. They were very straightforward about the pricing and I liked that. I know it costs a lot but I still really want to do it because I don't feel like spending the rest of my 20s like this. I just wanted to give you guys an update and say thanks for all the help!

The more I talk with Dr. Kim's office about insurance and the more I talk with my employer I am highly considering just saving my own money and selling a few things to do this. I have a consultation later today so I will learn more then but the more I look at it financially, it is probably cheaper for me to pay cash. Still worth it. I hope everything works out for you and your husband as well!

I'd love to share that with them. There are quite a few people here who would probably pursue the surgery, if it were available to them. I appreciate that!

Agreed,it is not UHS, it's definitely my employer and the selections they made going with UHS. One of the local bariatric centers does free insurance checks and got back to me on that and said it seems to be an employer driven exclusion. I plan on asking our HR rep later today if there is an additional plan I can get that covers WLS or something else I could do. After that I am looking into just paying it myself. The center I'm looking at (Kim Bariatric Institute) has an affordable program where lap band or sleeve can cost as low as $4900. I would most likely qualify based on my income. I'm worth it and I'm not giving up on this. I'm 26 and my mom doesn't have insurance for me to join if I were younger. I'm rowing this boat on my own and that's okay. I'm still going to get there. I'm going to remain positive about it all. I really appreciate all of your answers, sorry I couldn't reply individually but I did read every word and it all helps. Thanks!

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it!

I have just started exploring surgery and gathering info and I just have to say, all of your responses are really insightful and helpful to me as I start this part of my life. I've only told my partner, sister and best friend about exploring surgery as an option for myself (all reacted positively, they've seen my struggle) and I have been very hesitant to bring it up with others (like co-workers or other people I know) because I'm not sure how they'd react.

Yeah, I just ran into this with my employer. I'm a bit bummed but I know we're having open enrollment soon again so I can either switch policies or see if they change it and allow it in (which I doubt they will, but I'm going to dream).

I use this basic EatSmart Precision scale. It's always been nearly exactly the same as my doctor's. I've had mine for years and I've had no issues with it. http://amzn.com/B001KXZ808