Disappointing News: Insurance doesn't cover

[TopTier 0]

I'm so disappointed! I just found out that my insurance company doesn't cover bariatric surgeries.

I'm crushed.

My husband sent me this when I sent him the email:

Yes, check on the self pay (IRA w/ the Bank), see if the Hospital can get a total of what the surgery would be ($17K?) plus follow up visits for the first year? Would the Insurance cover follow up visits?

Well get it done one way or another.

He's so sweet!

Now I must go the self-pay route. As he said, "what were you saving that money for, anyway?"

Good point.

But I suppose at the very least this means that I could probably get this done sooner rather than later, since the insurance company might have required some ridiculous "hoops" through which I would have had to jump.

Oh well.

Onward! Don't let it deter me!

[Big Mama 514 0]

Keep your head up & stay positive...and tell me where I can find a husband like yours:smile2: It is SUCH a wonderful thing to have him right by your side & SOO supportive...Dont get discouraged...Keep the faith, you will achieve your goal...

Keep me posted

TTYS

[emjay 8]

I too was a self-pay...I guess the good thing is I didn't have to go thru 6 - 9 months of nutritional counseling before being approved. It was a tough decision for me too, since we didn't really have the money readily available. Many, many practices include your fills for the first year or two, or have different plans to choose from.

But the bright side was I had surgery 3 weeks and 1 day after my initial consult! How about that! I was thrilled, and I know I made the right decision.

Do what you have to do and best of luck. You will feel better, look better and have a husband that will be very proud of you. Sounds like our husbands are alot alike. He too said we will find a way to get it done, even though he had reservations at first. If it was important to me, it was to him. Aren't supportive husbands the best?!!!

[FailureIsntAnOption 0]

I'm so disappointed! I just found out that my insurance company doesn't cover bariatric surgeries.

I'm crushed.

My husband sent me this when I sent him the email:

He's so sweet!

Now I must go the self-pay route. As he said, "what were you saving that money for, anyway?"

Good point.

But I suppose at the very least this means that I could probably get this done sooner rather than later, since the insurance company might have required some ridiculous "hoops" through which I would have had to jump.

Oh well.

Onward! Don't let it deter me!

There is a much cheaper way to go.....I went to Mexicali, Mexico and had mine. It cost me $7,000 and included lifetime fills. The surgery staff is awesome and the hospital is new and state of the art. I was worried about traveling to Mexico to have surgery buy once I got there I felt very much at ease. The care I received was excellent. If you would like more info. please feel free to email me at donna2153@aol.com.

Banded 4/17/09 w/.08 cc

First fill 5/30/09 w/1.6 cc

[MissK 0]

Wow, so sorry to hear that TT - I thought I was in a similar situation recently when my insurance company excluded my surgery from my policy; I was DEVASTATED!

I found out later that by law they must provide a period of time before they can do that, so the exclusion doesn't commence until 1 January 2010. In the mean time I have upgraded to a more expensive policy that DOES cover the surgery at all times, to ensure my long term health care.

Your husband is sweet, I hope you find a way.

[pennreporter 12]

My daughter had to self-pay because even though insurance covered it, she had to have at least 'some' comorbidites, which she didn't have any. The cost has truly come down in the US so that you don't necessarily have to Mexico anymore. I've heard the 7k price coming out of Utah and Colorado. My daughter paid 13k but she also had one of the top surgeons in the US. Here in PA it's in the 25k range...so definitely do your homework. If you're self-pay at least you can also self-choose who you doctor will be. I'm in an HMO so I had no choice. Luckily I liked my surgeon but he hadn't done very many bands as compared to bypass.

So that is the plus side and many many doctors when you're self pay don't require the six months jumping through the hoops. That is mostly an insurance thing.

So good luck!!

Trisha

[cindyd 0]

I opted to have my same day surgery in Mexico. It was easy for me to find a physician who is willing to do my fills and follow up with me. I too remember the devastation of my Insurance saying, "no".

[SD2bskinny 0]

I hope you are doing better since you 7/2 release.

I have just found out that I would have to self-pay, which I am considering. However, I am wondering if insurance would pay for follow ups after the first year and or emergency and or removal. The Dr office said yes to the follow-ups. The insurance person said she doubted it???? Just wondering if you found out that information???' Trying to come up with my decision.

Thanks for your help and best of luck

Sherry

[FailureIsntAnOption 0]

SD2bskinny,

My insurance company, Kaiser Permanente, did not due my lapband. I had mine done in Mexicali, MX so I was able to avoid all the hoop jumping. Kaiser has done my post-op care and has agreed to do my fills as well.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with your journey.