Plastics-Friendly Insurance????

I'm currently reviewing insurance carriers for next year in our annual benefit enrollment period at work. What have you heard about or experienced with Empire BCBS, Humana or United for covering PS???????? I am anticipating having some work done mid-2006 and would love to know more info. Any info is appreciated! Amy

I think it's going to depend on the insurance company and other skin factors. I say that because my current insurance (United Healthcare) policy does not cover any kind of reconstructive surgery except what is caused by something like breast cancer or an accident or something along those lines. When I'm able to come off COBRA (UHC) and pick up my current employers insurance (Humana) this particular policy has a review of reconstructive surgery for bariatric patients based upon medical need and compliance with the surgery (I don't know how that is determined), as stated in my co-workers policy manual. Teena Adler also had her plastic surgery covered by BC/BS and she has wonderful research, letters, etc. on her personal website. She has three profiles here, and you can get to her website and read her plastics journey there, but I also think it's somewhere on her OH profiles: Teena Adler III http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=A1080501440 Teena Adler II http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=A1045796598 Teena Adler I http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=A1007595064 Good luck!!!

Thanks for the info. I'll also check out the links you provided. Over the past couple years, I have heard some companies are more likely to approve WLS plastics than others, so I was hoping to hear some success stories. Funny thing is that a good friend of mine had most of her lower body lift covered by United Healthcare last July, so I think you are right in saying it all depends on your own cir****tances...her surgeon had "tweaked" her file to get it pushed thru, not sure how right or wrong that is, but she got a great surgeon and great results. Oh well, I'll continue my research...

Personally I have less problem with a surgeon "tweaking" a file than with a person who applies duct tape and then rips it off themselves in order to fake a rash! I'm not sure why, but one seems sooooo much more like fraud to me! Jan

HI Amy - glad to see you posting again! Just wanted to share some stuff with ya - Jim S had PS approved. He said he put on the tightest underpants and stretched his skin as much as he could and had Cindy take pics from all angles (not sure how right that was) but it worked - he was approved. He was 525 and lost alot as you may know. Also, Kimberly N, the anethesialogist Dr. OC uses or works with sometimes and leads the Ocala support group got a referrarl from OC and that doc gave her a big discount. She will be having a lower body lift with armplasty (about $19,000 - $20,000) which she is paying herself but still she got a huge discount. Are you released from Dr. OC? Ask him for a referral. How's the new boyfriend thing going (if I may ask)? Take care.