Insurance Loss due to LapBand?

NancyLeeIL · July 9, 2008

I'm just at the stage of exploring this surgery. I'm going to a meeting tonight for a local doc who does the surgery and they want you to bring your insurance card.

This is my question. Has anyone LOST their insurance because an approval for the lapband was submitted? I would "assume" that if they (the insurance co) is asked for approval they now know your BMI is high, etc.

Is it like car insurance, where an insurance company can choose to drop you after an accident?

Hubby and I own a small business and there are just three of us on the policy. It was hard to GET insurance in the first place that we could afford...and I did lie about how much I weighed because I discovered if I told the truth no one would insure me. I was told my weight (5'2" - 275#) but me in the same category as a cancer or AIDS patient and I was repeatedly denied (I'm 53 yrs old by the way).

Just wondering if it is an issue with insurances...since they seem so focused on dropping people that "cost" them $ etc.

My only co-morbidity (at this point) is hypertension controlled with meds.

Thanks for any info or experience.

Nancy

honeysucklelee · July 9, 2008

it may be an issue becuase you fudged your weight when applying. My insurance required a documented history of being overweight for 5 years (doctor records, etc). If this conflicts with what you told them when you started with them it may be some kind of "breech of contract" thing. I don't know for certain. I am just supposing. I hope they will cover it for you with no issues.

Shannon

MaLiyah30 · July 9, 2008

I would first call the insurance company to comfirm that they even cover the surgery. Some insurances will cover it but many will not. Secondly, if you sought insurance coverage on your own as opposed to going through a large employer chances are they probably won't cover this type of surgery anyway. No one really can answer your question better then the insurance company can. I also agree with Shannon that the problem will likely come from not being honest about your weight. Sending in papers asking them to pay for the surgery will likely throw up a red flag. Wishing you all the best!!!!!!!!!!