any one dealing with Kaiser

I was wondering if anyone out there is using Kaiser for their wls and how the process is going for them? I have gone to the insurance section but I was lookingfor some more recient info how long the process is takeing????? Thanks alot Amy

i was originally going with kaiser went to the doctor for the referral and then was told that i would have to take some sort of nutritional classes etc for a year....i think they want you to try to lose it their way first. i had to get a different kind of insurance to cover this (luckily my husband is retired military) and it went through amazingly quick. i am to get my surgery on oct 6th...good luck with the process and kaiser

Thanks for the info I am currently on the wait list for their 10 or 12 week classes I think I have about 3-6 more months before they contact me..... Congrats on your upcomeing surgery and have a very speedy recovery!!!!

I have to say, You have a lot of real work to do to get thru Kaiser's requirerment of classes etc. But I do believe they have our best interest in mind. I have been w/Kaiser since 1993/94? I absolutely everyone I curently work with. However I am presently real confused w/all the hoops I have had to go thru since deciding to have this WLS done. You really have to prove and show that this is only a tool! to get where you want to go. I am having to keep track of every thing I eat and know my calorie, protien intack meets with their approval. I have done this many times before(wish I had saved some of them!) I sometimes feel I am just spinning my wheels...I have gone thru 2/3 weight management classes, I have had my Diabetes under control, worked w/dietician,and my diabetic one on one, gone thru the slim for life,active for life, and the ten week class,right now I am working one on one w/weight management specialist. Have been told I am right on track So I guess I'll continue to wait??? I have a lot health issues and want to start back doing Jazersize, walking, swimming. And just getting back to living LIFE?

I had surgery in April through Kaiser. It was just under one year from when I was approved for the surgery and when I started the Surgery Connections class. I really enjoyed the class and made some great friends while there. The people at Kaiser were extremely supportive and helpful in getting everything accomplished so that I could have the surgery. I had enough previously documented weight loss efforts that there were no extra dieting requirements. The only one was that during the Surgery Connections class you had to be losing weight or weight stable. Dr. Brown's office (surgeon) is fantastic and he is very knowledgable about all the different effects of WLS. The folks at St Joe's were great and treated you like you were special. I have since changed insurance and no longer have access to the Kaiser weight management program for after care. But luckily my PCP is knowledgable in regards to WLS - and I still have my friends I made in class as support. You have to exercise patience with Kaiser, but I think it is well worth it. I know a few other people that have had the surgery through other insurances and they were not prepared for the life style changes that were required after surgery, because no one warned them about what to expect. Kimberley

Congratulations on even being considered for surgery. I think one hast to have to have a bmi of at least 50 to even be considered to be put on their waiting list, for their waiting list, for their next waiting list... I have a bmi of 43 and they will not even consider me for surgery. Their hoops are intentional. If they don't clearly specify a policy then they do not have to comply. They can make it up as they go along. That's why they are such a profitable health insurance provider. Good for business, bad for individuals that have contracted with them to provide reasonable healthcare. Because the insurance lobby is so huge in the country, they can get away with it. I sure hope I don't get cancer before I can change insurance providers. Because I clearly meet the requirements set forth by the NIH, I have decided to pay for it myself, along with a retainer to an attorney to pursue it to the end. Even if I do not get reimbursed, I will be a thorn in their side for everyone that can benefit from this surgery, as well as standing up for my rights to receive healthcare. My surgery is on Monday, September 19 with Dr. Thomas Brown, a surgeon that Kaiser generally uses. I am very excited and I am very thrilled by the support that I've received by his on-staff nutritionist and nurses. No endless classes to attend, insinuating that I know nothing about nutrition just because I'm fat. Considering Kaiser's latest hoop that they pulled out of nowhere (I read your profile) that you have to pay for 1/3 of the cost, you may want do a little research. I am not paying anywhere near $30,000 and along with the tax benefit, you may end of paying less than what Kaiser will dump on you, between your so-called "costs" and the time you will waste on their gyrations. Connie

Kaiser originally denied me because I have an extremely high BMI. I hired an attorney and appealed. I won on external review. If Kaiser denies you, appeal! I read in a magazine (it might have been Consumer Reports) that 70% of all HMO denials are overturned in the appeals process). Kix

I'm a kaiser patient and was very happy with my surgery. Email me directly if you want more information. Thanks, paul 379/235/220