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While I'm waiting on the insurance coordinator to give me a call from the surgery center...thought I'll get some input here. All my testing is complete except 3/6 month supervised weight loss program but my 2016 work insurance omit bariatric surgery BCBS. I found a plan through the market place UHC that would work. Have anyone used two insurance the Coinsurance is 0% after met $3600 deductible...oh how do I add a pic to my profile?

Edited by nicole91379

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FOLLOWING! This happened to me. WLS was covered under our plan in 2015, not in 2016, and I have done everything required but meet the surgeon and do the psych eval. So bummed!

I was told I can buy a BCBS policy on the exchange up to 1/31/16 (cutoff on Obama enrollment) and self-pay for a policy. My friend who does medical billing said buy the spare policy 1-2 months before surgery and keep it up to 6 months after surgery to cover the post-op Dr. visits.

Also, she said any complications from WLS (gallbladder surgery, hernia repair, strictures,) would not be covered under your original policy -- it's viewed like plastic surgery -- optional, and any complications would need to be billed under the WLS policy you are buying. It's getting complicated!

I'm a 1099, so BCBS said I can buy any time, not limited to the 1/31/16 deadline, and WLS is covered.

Now, the other issues are choosing plans. I'm going with a high monthly premium and $1000 surgery copay after meeting my $2000 deductible, not the 80/20 plans or 70/30 plans, where I'd be responsible for 20-30% of a $30K surgery.

I'm interested in any advice/experience anyone has. I was devastated last Friday when I looked over the new insurance package and saw bariatric isn't covered anymore! Sucks.

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Are you covered under a spouse's insurance?. I have a family plan with my employer includes myself and 3 children. I'm so frustrated with all of this.

Edited by nicole91379

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Sorry for the delay, as you can imagine with Christmas, it's hectic!

Yes, we are covered under my husband's BCBS insurance which, ironically, I was SUPER excited to get with his new job as it blows away the shitty, basically catastrophic insurance we had before -- only to find the BCBS plan they are offering dropped WLS as a benefit.

This is SUCH a PITA and disheartening. I'm already taking a non paid hit when I have the surgery since I'm self-employed and don't get any paid time off, and paying for an extra policy -- on top of a stellar policy that is finally provided to us -- GAH!!!!!!!!!

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I had aetna as primary from my employer and caresource through the state as a secondary and I didn't have any out of pocket expense...

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My mother has both Medicaid and Medicare.

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Be careful with this. In some cases the primary insurance doesn't cover bariatric then the secondary won't either.

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using the BariatricPal App

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I have BCBS through my employer that covers WLS, and then I am also covered under my spouse's insurance that covers WLS as well. He is a retired federal employee with AMAZING insurance. The only thing I will have to pay out of pocket is the $300 'program fee' for consults with the physical therapist, nutritionist, etc. that insurance doesn't cover. I should have done this years ago!

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