Insurance-less

Well, hello everyone. I'm just new to WLS and thought I'd pose a question on a topic I don't see covered much (if at all). I don't have insurance. My husband and I fall in the crack between Title 19 and employer-suppplied health insurance, and except for a few months when still living with my parents, I have never been insured. Consequently, most of the symptoms and issues I've had have gone self-diagnosed and/or undocumented... So, unfortunately, I feel like I may fall through the cracks on this opportunity as well. My current employer offers health insurance at the first of every quarter after a 3 month waiting period for full time employees, and I will finally qualify soon. What I want to know is, how long have you-all had (or had to have) your health insurance before you qualified for your procedure? Most of the companies sites that I've found have required a minimum 365 day waiting period for ANY procedure.

I work with insurance and billing at a hospital. There are a zillion versions of insurance for every company. Don't even count on two Blue Cross policies to be the same because NOTHING is standard anymore. What I tell people with specific questions like yours is to call the 1-800 number on the back of your card and ask your questions. Even your ins guidebook may not give you all the answers. I find that they are pretty vague in the statements regarding coverage(which unfortunately allows the ins co to play around with coverage according to individual cir****tances). It may take several phone calls but get them to QUOTE you what their policy says from THEIR handbook. And don't be discouraged if they say WLS is not covered. A lot of insurance companies say that but have approved on second appeal with the right background info. Even tho you haven't been to a doctor in a long time, your best bet once you get the insurance is to get a complete physical(do NOT say it is for WLS or your ins co may not pay for it), make sure a thorough discussion of obesity and possible surgery is included(and documented) and have your doctor suggest a diet plan that you can go on immediately. That way you at least have some documentation to start with. It is important at that point to also identify any co-morbities you may have that are related to obesity. That will go in your medical record and help your case too. Do this even if your policy states a long waiting period because then you will have time and documentation on your side! If you have a high deductable, be prepared to pay for the whole physical, but remember, once you are approved for surgery what you have already paid should count toward your final charges. It also wouldn't hurt to research which surgeon you might plan to use and find out his/her criteria for accepting you. Above all, jump through all the ins co hoops- there's a lot of loopholes that can delay or even stop the whole process. I know this sounds daunting but your committment to pursue WLS will be evident to all involved in the approval process. And no, not all companies require a minimum waiting period for procedures(except for maternity). I only had mine a month before I pursued WLS and I was approved in two days. Good luck! We will be waiting to hear from you!!

Wow! Thank you so much for the excellent information! I will start in on all of it when I get my card!