May be my last option

Hi everyone, Well, the insurance mess is not getting any better. I have talked with my sister's husband's brother, who is an insurance broker and checked with him on this whole deal. When I first talked to him he thought that it was illegal for Anthem to turn me down for continuing coverage if BC/BS has been covering me for so many years. He normally doesn't deal with medical isurance, but he checked with a colleague who does. She said that they can turn me down. I'm going to call and talk to her to see if she has any ideas. But what I think it may well come down to is my applying for SAGA. The state welfare medical coverage. They have covered the surgery in the past and recently. I should eligible since I'm a full time student, working only part time ( very part time ) and I have absolutely no assets. When I got laid off from my "real job" back in PA I lost pretty much everything trying to deal with my medical expenses at that time. I did talk to Dr Giles office and the new lady there remembered me and said that I needed to call UConn's medical records office since they still didn't have any of my records. So at this point, BC/BS doesn't even know that I'm ready to have the precertification process again. Great, Huh? I signed the release for the records back in Oct. I'm pretty pissed. Sorry for the language, but I'm about at the end of my rope. I called UConn records and I left the voice mail and of course I've heard nothing from them, ( you can't even talk to a real person, you can only leave a message ). I really am trying to be sane about this, but its getting harder and harder. I'm still open for suggestions! I could go to Bogota, Columbia! They have a low cost Bariatric Surgery Program down there. Not quite that desperate yet! SOON though! Heather

Hi Heather-if you are a full time student does your school offer low cost student insurance? Also check into the Husky program through the state-they cover adults and they also cover the surgery. Jeanne

Heather, You are such a fighter, don't give up. This is your dream and you can't let these bumps in the road stop you. I agree with checking with the husky program. Dr. Giles said at the meeting on Monday to call the new girl if you had any problems. Put it in her lap. Test her out. Tell her your frustration at not getting a live person and ask for her help. You get a lot with honey as you know. I am not sure about it being illegal and there always seems to be someone wanting to offer legal opinions, but if it were me, I'd try to find a real lawyer and ask. You can get free consults. Please hang in there, DON'T book that flight to Bogota just yet!! Vent here any time you need. love Cheryl

Do yourself a favor because you are running out of time. My doctors office Dr Elmer Valin is great. He pushed all the BC/BS patients ahead to make sure they were approved and surgery done before 12/31. His wife (also his nurse and partner) does all the insurance work and is a whip she takes no bull from the insurance companies. It wouldn't hurt to call and see what they say. Dr Giles is not even in Uconn anymore either. Everything has been transferred to New Britain General Hospital. I found this out because I researched Dr Giles for myself. But my cousin who is 2 years post op told me of Doc Valin and he and his staff are awesome!! My aunt is 2 weeks post op and I am being done Jan 24. Dr Valin is on this site under the surgeons and has all his info posted. His wifes name is Debra Valin. I hope this helps, my thoughts are with you and I wish you the best!