Help!!!

Hi my name is Sheri. I am 26 yrs old, 5'3", and weigh 260lbs-and am very Depressed. I was scheduled to have the surgery on Jan 2, 2003, but I lost my job 10/02 and haven't worked since. I would love to have the surgery done but don't know how to get it covered or paid for. Any suggestions? [email protected] Thanks

Hope you've found a job since then. If not...don't plan on working at Wal-Mart, from what I've heard their insurance will NOT pay for the surgery. I would contact, via email, some peers in your area and see where they work. Their insurance has covered the operation before and your new co-worker could be your angel. Otherwise...there's always Mexico for about $10K you could pay for WLS yourself. Best of luck to you! John

I'll second the Wal Mart thing. The reason is because they self-pay their insurance and exclude all weight loss treatment. You need to watch for this with any potential employer. Make sure that WLS is not excluded or that it is "medically necessary" in their health plan before you accept a job and go through the system just to get your surgery denied. Other than that, some doctors are accepting medicaid, which covers the surgery.

Hi Sheri, I am in a similar situation, except my paperwork has not been sent yet. I had my 1st appt. and have done almost all the testing, then I lost my job last week. I am paying to keep my insurance (UHC-PPO) and will have to pay about $300 per month for coverage, but in the long run it will be a whole lot less than self-paying for surgery. (which wouldn't be an option for me anyway). Just a thought; would you be able to get insurance on your own? I know it's hard for you, being in the same boat here, it couldn't have come at a more inconvenient time! Keep your head up and best of luck! Let me know if you come up with any ideas and I'll let you know if I do.