If I just now get on insurance, how can I make sure I choose one that will pay for it

dallasgal · May 22, 2006

Hello!

Bieng self-employed I have not had insurance for over 6 years.

I can not afford self-pay, so was wondering.. can I get on an insurance now & have them cover the lap band in say a month? How do I make sure that they will cover it before I sign up?

THANKS!!

Alexandra · May 22, 2006

Dallasgal, it all depends on where you live and what the laws are in your state. My best suggestion is to call a local insurance broker and just ask them. As a self-employed person you may or may not be eligible for group insurance, and if you're not individual plans are often bare-bones plans that don't cover lots of things. But you have to find out what your options are locally, and a broker is your best bet for that. Good luck!

GayleTX · May 23, 2006

Be sure you check out the 'pre-existing condition' clause....there's usually a waiting period before it will cover something even if it is a covered procedure.

There are finance companies that will finance a surgery....most surgeons have the brochures in the office. I think Chase is one of them.

juliegeraci · May 27, 2006

Check our prexisting and check out of "Bariatric Surgery" is covered. Ask as many questions as possible about the guidelines of the bariatric surgery ie. BMI, what steps to follow AND if lapband is part of that. Mine covered bariatrics but only in network. After my doctor was specified as the only specialist in the area they are covering it, but only partial.

lightnerbride · May 31, 2006

The above mentioned is all correct and I don't have much to add except I know that some Aetna plans cover it. My husband just got a new job and we'll have Aetna that covers bariatric surgeries upon special approval in August. I just got rebanded 4/3/06 by maxing out the credit cards. I keep thinking well at least they might start covering my Doctor visits and fills! I guess I would have been so impatient to wait until August to start going through the insurance process espeicially since my husband wanted to start for kids this Spring and I've put him off till next Spring/Summer so I can lose the 77lbs I put on after losing my first band, maybe another 20 to put me ahead on the baby weight! I'm 33 with endometriosis and he's 34 so if we are going to do it we need to do it soon. I just didn't want to have to wait to get banded, sort of selfish but after having a band once I know the wonder of the band! I lost 120lbs in less than a year and maintained two years. I just hope I can lose as fast this time!!! Back to the subject good luck on the ins. search. What part of the US do you live in?

ashagirl · June 3, 2006

I went right to the exclusions section to see what it said for wls. It may say only if medically necessary...that was all the door I needed. Some exclude it no matter what.