How long?

Hello, everyone! I have been hoping to have WLS for about 2 years now and have been battling with my employer because there is a written exclusion for the surgery in our health insurance plan. I finally decided to get individual insurance through Unicare for my husband and myself. How long do you think I should wait to bring up the surgery with Unicare? I don't want it to be excluded because of a pre-existing condition! Please help! Thanks... Kathie

Wow, I don't know. Could you call up a representative, without saying who you are, and ask what's required for wls? That's where most people need to start. Different insurers have different requirements, such as mine required 6 months doctor supervised weight loss attempts (documented). Good Luck, Linda Vicory

I just took a new job because of the exclusion thing... so I feel your pain! In Indiana, as long as you haven't had a lapse in coverage (more than 30 days without coverage I believe) there really isn't any such thing as a "pre-existing condition exclustion". You can check with the attorney generals office about that. There is also a really good attorney linked through this site (based out of NY?) that has some information about this issue. My insurance kicks in with this company 1/1 and I've already called them to find out their exact guidelines and requirments! Can't wait to be a loser! Kirsten

These insurance companies have it all figured out, they leave it up to the employer to decide if they want to pay the extra for the rider on the policy. That is want happened with my husbands place of employment. I wish I had the answer for you. The BEST of LUCK to ya. Nita