denied medical insurance 4 years after

I had a gastric bypass in April of 2003 and had no problem getting approved for the surgery. I had no complications, and have had no surgical complications since then. I lost 70 pounds. Presently I am not employed through a group employee plan, and I only have a few months of COBRA left. I applied for medical insurance through the local BCBS. According to the denial letter, I would not be able to be approved until 15 years after bariatric surgery.  I am shocked and had no idea that this would ever be a possibility! Can they do that? Does anyone have the names of any companies besides Wellmark that offer private individual medical insurance? Thank you for any suggestions anyone can give me. I am feeling pretty anxious about getting to this stage of my life without health insurance.

I don't have any suggestions, but I'll probably be in the same boat in the near future seeing as I'll be self employed in the next few years.  I'd be interested in knowing what you've found out or if you come up with a solution!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Shannon

I have a friend who's an insurance agent and he said unless you're in almost perfect health, finding affordable private medical insurance is very difficult.  I had tried to get health insurance when I was self employed and was not able to be covered. You may just want to give a few different agents in the phone book a call and see what they recommend.