surgery/insurance?

Hi everyone, Has anyone been approved by Health Alliance - HMO?  My insurance HA has recently approved the lap band surgery as of Jan 2008!!!   I was wondering if anyone is from the Springfield Illinois area that is having or has had the lap band surgery?  Thank you!!

I am from joliet, which isnt near springfield and I had gastric bypass not lapband.  So I cant help you on either of those questions lol but Hello anyways!  Good Luck though lol :-)

Hello Marla  I'am also doing my research on the prosedure I'am more interested  on the VSG, but if you go to the top of the pager  were  it says  forums it will take you to the lab band forums. good luck  WWW.obesityhelp.com/forums/labband www.obesityhelp.com/forums/VSG     

I had the band put in with insurance.  It was a PPO with United Healthcare.  I am in Chicago though, so it won't help out.  Just remember that with an HMO, you will need referrals for the consultation, surgery and EVERY adjustment.  If you have an opprotunity to switch to a PPO, it will help out later.  If you decide to have the surgery and stay with the HMO, there area a couple of hoops you have to jump through, but it is definately worth it.  I have lost 84.5 pounds since my first adjustment in May.  I hope this helps.