insurance help!!!!!!!!!!

Ok this is my issue, my insurance has a clause that states that they will cover only 50% my surgery with a max of 5000.   So that means that i have to pay every thing up front, the hospital wants $10,350. up front before i have my surgery and that just for my 3 day stay , not including anesthesia and surgeon. I am about to scream, i want this so bad i feel like my word is crumbling. And to top it off NO individual polices or supplement polices will cover gastric bypass. i really need some info ? Thank you

All I can suggest is to look to your relatives unless you have a house to borrow against such as a second mortgage. But check some other loan companies too such as Capitol One & Household Financial, etc. Check also with several Bariatric Programs in the Tampa Bay area. As one may have a plan that you may be qualified to receive. Good Luck. 

You also might want to check into Vocational Rehabilitation.  Voc Rehab is a state agency tasked with helping people overcome barriers to getting or keeping meaningful employment.  If your obesity has prevented you from either getting a job, keeping a job or advancing in your career they have been known to help people have surgery.  But bear in mind they are not a healthcare provider so one must approach them from the employment angle.  They will have many,  many hoops which one must jump -- but if you are approved it is worth it. You might also consider changing employers or getting a second job.  There are a couple of national employers who have been known to pay.  You have mail! Red

Hello I post on another board but was checking out here and heard someone say about vocational rehab. Thats what I am going through since my insurance wont cover it at all. Had to do nut consult, psych exam, physical, a statement from dr saying i am a good cantidate, meet with surgeon and letter from insurance. It seems like alot but I know alot is involved with insurance also.    Hope

Check with your surgeon. There shoudl be different finance plans that will help with this problem. I know and have used care credit once and read somewhere that capital one offers a health care financing program as well.

I'm not sure who your employer is, but we are coming up on Open Enrollment where I work.  You can switch insurance carriers at that time.  I would make sure there are no clauses relating to "pre-existing" conditions and the sort before you consider the switch- if that option is even available to you. Sorry this is happening to you. Good luck,  Abbie

Hi there,

You've received some good advice here. It's standard to have to pay everything upfront for elective surgeries. As far as insurance goes, have you spoken with your HR department? Many companies do not purchase the benefit (or rider) for weight loss surgery for a variety of reasons - not always because of expenses. Most of the time, the person responsible for purchasing staff benefits are not made aware by the insurance agent that WLS benefits are not included; or can be included by purchasing a rider. With open enrollment for many quickly approaching, I would contact your HR rep ASAP to discuss including WLS in the menu of benefits.

May I assume that you have chosen a surgeon? I am the patient concierge for US Bariatric Orlando. Most offices have a similar position, one with whom you can work to assist with financing. Our office participates with two medical lending companies. One is more lenient with credit blemishes, the other is less forgiving but really rewards good credit with a low APR. Both do not have prepayment penalties. The office would most likely talk with you about other options like a 401k debit, IRA, tax benefits, etc.

Hang in there and don't give up. There is always - always - hope.

HTH.

I understand your frustration.  I finally ended up paying for it myself.  I saved and saved for five years.  But I do know that Capital One has a line of credit just for bariatric and cosmetic surgery.  I think there is a link on Dr. Jawad's  site.  www.jawadmd.com  He's the surgeon who did my surgery. Good luck and hang in there.