Help Beginning My Journey

Hi all! I live in jacksonville and am beginning my journey of trying to have wls. I went to a support group at Baptist Health and it left a lot to be desired. I have heard a lot about informational seminars on this website and was hoping someone could help me find out about attending one. Also, I recently received health care through my job (United Health) and don't have a primary care physician. I have never had one because I have never had healthcare before so I am new to this. I don't know how to go about this process. Do I geta primary physician first? Howcan I tell if my insurance will cover it? Etc. Thanks for all the help.

Ally, First you will need to get a PCP, they make the referrals to your WLS. You will need to call your Ins. Co to see if they even cover the surgery. If they do find out what the requirements are. Some Ins Co's require 6mos medically supervised diet. Typically they require alot of medical documentation....Once you get a referral to a surgeon I would do my homework on him, then meet with him one on one. My surgeon was Dr. Wellborn in LR. I love him, he did a great job. Good Luck MOM

You can also click on Insurers on the left sidebar and see if your health insurance company is listed for Arkansas and if it is read what others had to say. But like MOM said you will need a primary dr and also need to call your insurance company and be specific on which wls you want, some insurers may cover gastric bypass but not lap band.

My sister has UHC and they paid for 100% of her surgery, all she had to pay out of pocket was the extra for her private room.