Insurance questions (getting insurance after the band)

Tricia K. · June 18, 2006

FYI - leaving out pertinent medical information when applying for group or individual health insurance, such as previous surgeries, could be and probably is against the law in your state.

HIPAA laws were passed to "secure patient records containing individually identifiable health information so that they are not readily available to those who do not need them."

With that said, withholding information about previous surgeries will only hurt you in the long run. Imagine that you have a major illness or require surgery and are admitted to the hospital. As soon as the doctor examines you, he'll/she'll know that you've had surgery and will require that provide him/her with information regarding this surgery. Now, because you've withheld this information from your health insurance provider, you will most likely not be covered for anything and have a good chance of being dropped from your carrier. Do you really want to risk that?

california-rais · June 18, 2006

I'd be willing to bet that BCBSCA will cover you, but maybe after a year or two has passed since surgery. And they might want to exclude complications related to surgery. But I agree, your overall health has improved to the extent that you should be insurable.
Also, not every state has this type of medical underwriting. New Jersey and New York have guaranteed-issue individual health policies, for which you cannot be turned down. I swear, the range of rules about this sort of thing is horrific, and what makes ANY conversation about "national health insurance" an utter joke. Unless a decision is made in Washington to standardize health insurance rules from state to state, it will never get any better. :angry (Pet peeve of mine, can ya tell?)

Well, I sure hope you're right! I've been soooo nervous lately about not getting health insurance once I move to CA... i've heard a lot of strange rumors about what will happen to me with no insurance.

If none of the carriers want to insure me, are there other options??