Health Insurance Question - Not the Usual

hungryforchange · September 20, 2007

I am self employed and am in the midst of trying to purchase health insurance for my family.

I was denied due to my weight (coverage was offered for my husband and son).

So now I'm wondering, once I have the lap band surgery and lose the weight, will that help me to get health insurance for myself or will the fact that I had the surgery make me a high risk even if I am no longer high risk due to my weight.

Basically, am I damned either way?

Thanks for reading and any input.

stacy73 · September 20, 2007

I used to work in life insurance and I know weight loss surgery is considered a risk for 2 years- I imagine it might be similar for health insurance- once you are more than 2 years out the risk decreases- but I guess it would vary from insurance company to insurance company.

hungryforchange · September 20, 2007

Well gosh that's not good news, but it's exactly what I was afraid of.

jfran · September 20, 2007

seems like I read on another thread that people were having trouble getting insurance post banding when they changed carriers. This sucks for me because next year I turn 24 and will be kicked off my parents insurance. I hope I can find an insurance carrier that will take me ( do I have to tell them I had the lapband??).

Saintluver · September 20, 2007

Personally I would say don't tell them until they find out!

hungryforchange · September 21, 2007

Personally I would say don't tell them until they find out!

Well on the applications they do ask about surgeries and you do have to sign stating that you are being truthful and honest. I'm sure if even the slightest thing came up that they could blame on the surgery once finding out, they wouldn't cover it....or they may use that to not cover anything at all! Who knows!

I can still get coverage through the state medical pool program that is set up for people who are denied elsewhere but of course it is crappier insurance for more money.