Depressed

Hello I been so depressed for over a month now. I found out that my husbands new insurance with United Healthcare has exclusion. I am so pissed off cause my husband company had Aetna insurance first with no exclusion and then they company decided to switched to UHC in Dec 1, 2004. I did a 6 month supervised diet, paid $280 for Psychological exam, did all my labs and paid a $150.00 to the nutritionist for nothing. I'm so upset right about now, that i don't know what to do. I am 5ft5 over 400lbs and really need this dam surgery... Nobody cares, but yet, they have their dam hands out when it comes to pay for the premiums... My husband makes too much money for me to qualify for Medicade... Does anyone know any finance loans that will help you get the surgery? I don't know what else to do. Amber

amber, i have uhc and the company my husband works for did not luckily exclude the surgery but if you go to the insurance section i have learned that if it medically necessary put in your forms and fight it to the end... they are not going to want any legal battles... if you come this far dont give up and appeal all you can .. ive read some profiles on here and heard some stories of battles with in surance companies. let me tell you this site is a life saver.. im in the process you are i have not yet had surgery but im almost done with all my pre process and its not easy... good luck to you. just thought id give you a lil hope and most of all pray to god..... love, jennifer

Amber, This probably seems odd to you that I am answering from Delaware. I am hoping to move to Florida in the next year or so. I am in the mortgage business. If you own a home and have enough equity, you could do a home equity loan or even a home equity line of credit. If you want me to explain the process to you, send me an email. I wish you the best of luck. I'm sorry this is happening to you. These companies just don't realize how important this surgery is to our lives. Best wishes, Debbie

Amber- Sorry you have gotten such a raw deal. I can only imagine how frustrated you must be! There ARE bariatric centers that finance surgery (US Bariatrics and WISH center come to mind). I dont know particulars, but check their websites or make some calls. You can also look into Vocational Rehab if your weight is preventing you from working or finding a job. Again, I dont know details on that program either, but there are others on here who have been approved through them. I hope you are able to find an alternative method to get your surgery. Good luck! Amy

hi amber i had my surgery done through vocational rehabilitation services -the requirements are that your weight either keeps you from working or could eventuaaly put you out of work if currently employed - you have to agree with them that you will seek employment after your surgery and recovery time - they do not care about your income - so your husbands should not be a problem - you just have to specify that you do want to work but are not able to- good luck --mary

Find out if the company is a "self insured" company. That means that UHC just handles the money and reviews for them. Bottom line is you first have to find out who is making the rules. Did your company buy a cheap policy, with an exclusion, if so you can go to the company and fight it. If it is the insurance company you can appeal it. You need to appeal wisely I would contact Walter Lindstrom to help you with that. He is an wls patient obesity lawyer. I saw a couple tough cases overturned with him. Don't give up without a fight!! Best of luck!!

I am in the same boat as you are i need to have the surgery so i can work and live e.t.c. But i have no insurance and my husband makes to much money to qualify for Medicaid. If you have gotten any help or have any new Idea's let me know.Thank you. [email protected] Cara Sanpete county Utah.