Health Insurance

My friend is currently uninsured. We are looking for a way to insure her in the least expensive way possible. In New York, where I am from, there are various levels of government insurance that, if she were living here, I know she would be eligible for based on her income level. Are there similar insurance plans in Kansas that she would be eligible for coverage? Is there a place she could go to get information on her best option for medical insurance?

My friend is looking to get Laparoscopic Bypass in December of 2008. I want her to have medical insurance so she could speak to a therapist before and after the procedure. Accordingly, we are looking for insurance that will cover going to a therapist. As long as we are looking for medical insurance we are also looking for one that might cover the surgery.

We both are aware that most insurances nickle and dime patients who try to use them cover this procedure, but maybe someone on this board had a good experience with a specific insurance company and can give us some advice.

Thank you for your time and any advice you can give us,
A friend

As for government funded insurance the only one I'm aware of in Kansas is Kansas Medicaid. It DOES NOT cover weight loss surgery. Unfortunately it is standard procedure for insurance companies in Kansas to add written exclusions for weight loss surgery and any weight loss program of any kind. Most people in Kansas who have insurance cover their surgery either have Medicare or work for an employer who is not based in Kansas and/or does not purchase their employee health care program from a Kansas provider like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas. BCBS is kind of a generic name so there are many flavors in other states that do cover the surgery. As far as psychotherapy is concerned most insurance companies do pay for that. It's sad but insurance options for paying for weight loss surgery here in Kansas are almost non-existent. Where in Kansas does your friend live? I think Missouri Medicaid pays for the surgery so if she could relocate even temporarily that might help but I'm not sure. Is there a chance she might qualify for Social Security disability? I just never know what to say to folks here because Kansas law makes it so companies are almost encouraged to deny this service.

Thank you for your response.
It' sad that Kansas doesn't have an equivelent to Family HealthPlus.

It is, at least, encouraging that therapy would be covered for her, if we can get her insured.

My friend lives in the Leavenworth area. It is close to Missouri, but i'm not sure how easy it would be for her to relocate. I'm also not sure if she would be eligible in Missouri. Are there any community boards or councils that would discuss with her what her options are?

I doubt she would be eligible for Social Security disability.

I wonder why Kansas law discourages this surgery. It seems like it would help ease taxpayer's health cost in the long term.

Thank you for your help. I will bring this to her attention so she can do what's best for her.

Absolutely it is far cheaper in the long run to pay for the surgery. But Kansas legislators are a bit myopic. There are insurance boards here on the site. Perhaps they might be able to help more than I. Does her weight keep her from working? If so social security might be a possibility. It takes a while to get it and then you have to wait after that to qualify for Medicare but if that's the only way then we do what we must.

We've heard about getting hired by Starbucks. That their insurance covers the procedure. Would a KS Starbucks' insurance cover it or does she need to be hired by a MO Starbucks?

It's impossible to be sure without out right asking (a bad idea). But Starbucks is not a Kansas company so they probably don't have a Kansas based insurance. Even if that's true it doesn't mean they'll cover it. Kansas insurance aren't the only ones to exclude it I'm sure. But I'd guess there's a better chance then not.