Insurance Schminsurance...lol

Hey there all! I have been trying to obtain insurance and finding that everyone is denying me. (It's starting to look like I may have to finance the surgery) Does anyone know if insurance companies can really deny you coverage because of your weight? I have always had insurance through my job, but I am working at an internship right now and a student, so I have no insurance anymore. I thought one could pick up an individual or family plan, and it would just cost more because of the weight--but all the insurance companies are telling me they will not cover me because I am "out of their weight range" but they "have some wonderful plans for my husband"...(grrrr....) Any suggestions? Also, has anyone had to finance the surgery..if so, how did that go? Is it outrageously expensive. (I am 23 yrs old, 5'4" and 285lbs.) I am in pre-med right now and that is already costing me an arm and a leg...but I know I need this surgery, so...what's a gal supposed to do? Whew! Thanks all, I just was on a roll there, this process can get so frustrating. Then again, if they made it easy on us, everyone would be getting this surgery, right? Thanks!! Phoenix Kone'

Phoenix, some surgeons do work with finance companies. I know the Wish center in Tampa has financing as does my surgeon, Dr. Haicken in Largo. I think they finance it over five years, I don't know what the Wish center charges, but my surgery was $18,000 for Surgeon, hospital, and anesthesiologist. I had insurance cover all my testing, but if I had to pay, it would have been another couple of thousand give or take. So you finance $20,000 +/- for five years, like a car payment. Good luck. steve

Thanks, I did check in on that. I have been going to the Wish Center for the seminar and such. I did hear the surgery can range from 16k-36k, so I was well prepared for that. I am just curious as to how high the payments are, and if anyone on here actually financed their surgery. It sounds to me like most have had their insurance pay for it. Thank you for your response!! Phoenix

when i went in yesterday to do all my pre stuff and filled out the insurance stuff what i signed said it would cost 32,000 without insurance. i about died. steve said his was about 1/2 that so just be sure you finance enough.

that is true. They do deny people that over weight. I had the same trouble, until the offer us a plan threw work. Dr bundz told me it ran around $20,000, and you can finance it. Good luck .

Phoenix, You may have already checked into this, but most universites offer info on "student" health insurance policies. Don't know if they'll cover wls, but would probably cover you for labs & such and maybe part of the hospital/anesthsia if you were having another procedure at the same time (gall bladder removal comes to mind). Also - is your husband covered under an employer's policy? If so, he should be able to add you as a dependent under his policy. Good luck and keep at it. Vickie J.

Hello Vickie! I did check in on that and unfortunately student insurance is offered as a liability insurance, it's incase anything happens while I'm on my internship. As far as medical insurance goes, I'm just not getting anywhere. I have been at this since December of last year. Also, my husband is a full time International student also interning, so we are insuranceless for quite some time. To top all of this off, I already had my gallbladder removed due to stones last year when I still had my job and insurance. (Sure wish I had kept that Cobra) LOL Thanks for your suggestions, and I guess I'll just keep on trying... Phoenix