Hi everyone! :biggrin:
I'm hoping to get banded by the beginning of October, 2010 via the Weight Loss Centers (1-800-Get-Thin) and since I'm currently unemployed, I need to purchase an insurance plan.
I have been considering the Lap Band for over a year now, have conducted extensive research on it, and really know it's what I want/need, so I would really appreciate any help on this whole insurance thing. I also want to mention that I have lingered around this site for quite sometime before registering today and consider many of you an inspiration.
The representative from the Weight Loss Centers that I spoke with highly recommended purchasing a PPO insurance plan from Anthem Blue Cross and said they usually cover 70-90% of the total cost ($18,000) - Great news, right? But, I'm having trouble picking an insurance plan because it's all a foreign language to me. I don't even know the duration of coverage I need in order to conduct the surgery?
I would love to hear from people who have a PPO plan with Anthem Blue Cross and see how easy it was to get approved too. My BMI is currently at 35 and it seems like some insurance companies require some sort of a health problem for those with a BMI less than 40.That scares me because I'm a fairly healthy individual, but might have high cholesterol - Not sure if that would be considered a health problem?