Denied by insurance

stephmarie · November 20, 2009

Well I finally made the decision to have weight loss surgery only to be denied by my insurance company. They will pay for the RNY and the band but not the sleeve. I have my heart set on the sleeve and don't feel comfortable with the other two procedures. Sooooo I have decided to bite the bullet and pay for the surgery myself. I will have to take out a loan but it's investing in myself and I finally think that I am worth it. So wish me luck. I have my 1st consultation appt. on Jan. 13.

mountain_lover · November 20, 2009

Well I finally made the decision to have weight loss surgery only to be denied by my insurance company. They will pay for the RNY and the band but not the sleeve. I have my heart set on the sleeve and don't feel comfortable with the other two procedures. Sooooo I have decided to bite the bullet and pay for the surgery myself. I will have to take out a loan but it's investing in myself and I finally think that I am worth it. So wish me luck. I have my 1st consultation appt. on Jan. 13.

Sorry to hear about your denial. I had to wait along time to find out if they would approve my sleeve, and finally I got an approval and will be having surgery Dec.2. I know that you must be really disappointed. I wish you all the best with whatever you decide to do. When I first started a year ago, the sleeve was not approved by Medicaid here in Ky. but now here in November it is an approved procedure. It is so strange that they don't want to approve the sleeve, but yet the Duodenal Switch is approved by so many insurance companies, and the sleeve is the first part of the DS without all the cutting of the intestine and rearranging it all. It would be nice if they could understand that the sleeve is less evasive surgery, less risky, less complications, less expensive, and faster recovery time. Maybe one of these days it will be approved nation and world wide. But until then so many people have to go through what you are going through, because of some people not understanding and not wanting to change current policies. My prayers are with you.

Norma · November 20, 2009

I suggest that you check out Dr Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico. It will be much cheaper than here in the States and much better care and service than here as well. You will also not have to jump through hoops of psych consults and other issues.

stoongal · November 20, 2009

And for the best value, check out Dr. Almanza at the Emmanuel Medical in TJ. MX.

Number is 1 8666 806 4286, you can get the same procedure done for around $5000, I believe and the care is suberb! All inclusive as well, you only need to take your personal items! Everything else is paid for! I went there end of Sept and was so pleasantly surprised how excellent it was for the money as I was self-pay on a tiny pension. Now my daughter and sister are going for their sleeves there in January as it is affordable when you have to take out a loan! Doesn't hurt to ask!

Cheers,

Donna