Health Alliance

September 23, 2004

I am in central illinois----i have Health Alliance also and really want lap band---not r n y which I have been approved for.

Risks are just too high for me----and, I have 90 lbs to lose and I thinkI can do it with lap band. I so hope Health Alliance will change---Jeff -- let me know what I can do or if there is a letter that I can send or have my doctor send. I think all around it is the best solution for me. I also hope that come Jan. 1 that my self-funded plan administered by Health Alliance won't put an exclusion in for r n y --- like some other companies have done. I would hate that since I did qualify for the R N Y.

Let me know any updates and good luck Jeff!

Patti 35 yo / 229 lb.

PamRN · October 2, 2004

I also had Health Alliance, I called and gave them the cpt code for the lapband, and they assured me it wasn't covered. I found a doc in clinton IL who would do it in Urbana for 14,500 via the inamed surgeon locator. Not including the preop tests and xrays, psyche eval. etc.

I gave up and went to Mexico. So far I'm glad I did, though I'm hearing lately others who used the same surgeon haven't been so lucky.

Research, read, and ask questions. You'll find a wealth of info here, that will hopefully lead you to make the best fitting choice for yourself.

Good Luck

chinatrain99 · December 29, 2004

I haven't been on in a while. I'm hoping that the first of the year will bring some changes with Health Alliance. I'm also debating doing a pre-tax MCAP reimbursement. I think that I can do up to 10,000 pre-tax dollars (not sure but will check out soon). I really want to get this done soon.