Not Banded.... Yet

[duckydoom 128]

There are Kaisers in Oregon, DC, Cali, Georgia, and one other place that's eluding me... and they all offer the reciprocal benefits under a "visiting member" status, which is for 90 days, after that the insured either has to switch to the local insurance or they have to return to their home plan. Auth is definitely required for the surgical procedure, but if you've got a PPO you can usually self-refer for the consultation, they just need to submit for an auth prior to surgery. HMOs will definitely require a referral for the initial consultation, and then a referral for the surgery.

I should probably add a disclaimer that I only know benefits for the company I work with and it's an absolute necessity for someone to check their plan before proceeding! Knowing your benefits can be a powerful thing if you know how to weld them properly!

[connie3 43]

Thanks duckydoom.. You've been extremely helpful. I really need to look in detail to what type of insurance I have because I'm not even sure.. If its a PPO or ***. I hate sounding so ignorant! :/ I just know I have my insurance through my company and when I was looking into the policy I found a section regarding bariactic surgery and it said that it DID cover it. Have my fingers crossing and hoping I can get it done soon.

[DeAna N 229]

I went directly to Mg surgeon my insurance doesn't require me to see my Pcp 1st and they got me started then

[duckydoom 128]

No worries I had no idea what a PPO was until I started my current job - I still only have a vague idea of how our PPO plans even work, as I work on the *** side of things. I'm glad I could give a bit of info - I think my customer service self took over there for a second, lol. Having a policy that covers it is definitely the first and best step, and navigating the rest can be tricky, but it's worth it. Best of luck to you!

[cmk99 39]

Connie, I am not yet banded either I have however had a consultation and at that appointment I spoke with the person that deals only with insurance. Maybe if you have a surgen that your thinking of going too you could call and talk to someone they may be able to tell you where to start. Good luck!

[cmk99 39]

Connie, I am not yet banded either I have however had a consultation and at that appointment I spoke with the person that deals only with insurance. Maybe if you have a surgen that your thinking of going too you could call and talk to someone they may be able to tell you where to start. Good luck!

[29Ladybug 37]

I went to my OBGY yearly visited and was speaking to him about my weight issues after giving birth, he told me that after my husband and I fourth child that he notice I didn't lose the weight as fast as I normally did. I was referred by him to a weight management specialist in Charlotte, NC to speak with about the different opinion that I had. I don't have any health issues other then being fluffy as my 10 year old son call it, so I went to the LP meeting and my insurance covers everything but $440, i never had to speak with my insuance compamy the Dr.'s office did everything for me. I have had many appointments and now I'm down to my last 2 appointment. So with this being said your OBGYN knows your well because he has a record of your weight, and body changes have him write a letter to your insurance company with your weight issue and see if this will help. I even had a breast reduction (48D)to (36C)to my OBGYN's help. Remember they know you. Good luck. I'm 5'5 was 270lbs and now 260lbs and I'm not banded yet just using fitness pal.

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