Denied new insurance coverage because of band!

Barbara12375 · September 20, 2006

I am trying to get new health insurance as my Cobra is running out in November.

I have been denied insurance coverage and the reason they gave is "a medical history of weight loss surgery in June 2006".

Has anyone else experienced this or do you know the reasoning? Am I doomed to be uninsurable? This is scarrrrry!

Alexandra · September 20, 2006

Barbara, every state's laws are different regarding insurability. In states where there is medical underwriting, people who have had major surgery are often shut out for a period of time, obviously because the new carrier doesn't want to pay for any potential complications. Even if people aren't denied completely, procedures related to surgical followup might be excluded for the first year or something.

Call your state insurance department (or possibly the department of health) and find out what your rights are. There may be a pool you can join for the "uninsurable" population--a state-sponsored pool that offers basic coverage for people who can't buy private policies for whatever reason. Get something like that and in a couple of years you should be good to go with private coverage.

Good luck!!

christy · September 20, 2006

Wow, that's pretty scary! Please keep us updated on what happens!

I would think that you're insurable, but that your insurance wouldn't cover anything having to do with your band?

Why isn't this a problem for plastic surgery patients?

Tricia K. · September 20, 2006

Barbara, I applied for individual coverage early this year and was denied by 3 different companies because I had lap band surgery. One company flat out wouldn't take my application, a 2nd company denied me because of a 3 year waiting period stipulation, and the 3rd company denied me because of a 1 year waiting period stipulation. Because I just passed 1 year, I re-applied (yesterday) with company #3 and hope to be approved.

Good luck in your search. It will be tough but be aggressive in your fight.