refocus

I live in VA. I had my own insurance and it is the best I can get....but VA doesnt have an insurance that covers weight loss surgery. I went on my spouse's insurance this year....its a small company and it also doesn't cover the surgery, that isnt even a rider that could be added to cover the surgery. My question is has anyone that lives in a state that doesnt require the insurance company to include weight loss surgery ever been able to get the insurance company to cover the weight loss surgery or am I just out of luck because I live in VA? Can you ask the insurance company to cover, along with documentation and letter from doctor that it is necessary? Help please...no surgery for VA....

Can anyone that lives in VA, suggest individual self pay health insurance that will cover the surgery?

FYI...there are NO plans in VA that cover weight loss surgery for individual self pay...such BS!

How is possible that some state allow the surgery and others don't? Total BS. Is there any way to make insurance pay for surgery even if they say they don't cover it?

I had an individual Anthem plan previous to the ACA and it covered the surgery. I was too scared at that point to do the surgery. Fast forward, after the ACA my plan was no longer available so I was forced to purchase another plan. Today I called to find out what I needed to do and found out that my plan doesnt cover the surgery in VA. Only 22 states do cover the surgery. Even if I self pay, they will NOT cover any cost if there is a complication...that is just too much of a risk for me to take. I am at a BMI of 45, my doctor actually suggested the surgery to me a year ago...I tried once last attempt with Ideal Protein and lost 40lbs but have now gained back 50lbs. I can't believe that I have missed my window of opportunity Does anyone have any suggestions?

I live in VA. I had Anthem before the affordable care act...my policy at that time covered surgery. When ACA started my plan was no longer offered by Anthem...so I had to go to the open Market place. I currently have Anthem Health Keepers POS Gold. Guess what, called today and it doesn't cover the surgery. I'm so pissed off....I don't know if there is anything I can do at this point. If insurance doesn't cover can your doctor ask them to cover it due to medical reasons? I'm so irritated...I know that there are 22 states that have the ACA that do include the surgery...VA is just not one of them.

How many of you were smokers pre surgery? How long did you have to quit before you could have surgery? Did you remain a non smoker after surgery?

Very Encouraging everyone! I'm going to stop before I even meet with a surgeon...I want to make sure I'm on the path and feel confident. I don't want to increase any chances for complications. I'm worried about quitting but even without the surgery it needs to be done...I think it is the most disgusting habit...I mean I get the food addiction but cigs...I really don't understand. They stink, make a mess, yet I'm constantly reaching for one. I swore I would never be a smoker!!! I also never thought I would need to have surgery due to my weight...I don't know anything! lol

I am so sorry to hear about the experience your daughter is having after surgery. This is why I am so reluctant to have the surgery...I have a 13 year old daughter...I can't imagine how hard this must be for everyone. Praying that she recovers quickly and is back home with her family.

Thanks everyone for the feedback..I feel like an idiot that I smoke period..but it's not surprising to me that I do something that I know is harmful to myself. I have been smoking for 20 years now with only one year break and that was when I pregnant...my husband is a heavy smoker and I know that will make it harder to quit this dirty habit. I don't know anything about vaping but will definitely check into it! I figure if I'm going to go to the extreme to have surgery I need to be all in to get my health back! Thanks!