Individual Insurance Plans that cover Bariatric Surgery

Hi! (Nice to "meet" you all, since I am a newbie posting here) I hope this isn't a repeat question, I went through tons of threads and didn't see it! My question is: Is there an Individual Insurance Plan in Michigan that I can purchase that will cover Bariatric Surgery? Even if the premiums are OUTRAGEOUS, that's okay...it's still less than cash pay. I am so frustrated with my Insurance company and their ridiculous exclusions that I wouldn't mind paying a $500.00 monthly premium (at least until I could get the surgery). I am insured under my husbands plan but need to find supplemental insurance that will cover my gastric bypass. BTW, I am with United Healthcare. Thanks, Kay

I purchased my own insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the Individual Care Blue Plan.  There is an 180 day pre-existing clause, and they require a 12 consecutive month diet in the last four years and a BMI of 40 or greater.   Kim

the 180 day waiting period is waived if you go from one insurance to another.  You need to check with them - check out bcbsm.com - you can rates, etc. 

 

Thank you so much for the information. I am going to go to the website right now. I wonder if I would have to cancel my insurance on my husbands plan or just go ahead and enroll with BCBS? My husbands insurance is free to all employees and families (so it's not like I would be paying double premiums). Kay

okay so I called and they said I have to "not have my husbands insurance available to me anymore" in order to get coverage through them...I called human resources at his company and was told I can be taken off his plan during open enrollment in October, but to be careful because I will be without coverage until BCBS picks me up on 1/1/08. Kay

Now I am wondering if it would be more beneficial to just do "self pay" to cut through all of the insurance red tape... I found a doctor that performs bariatric surgeries at a very affordable rate...but they always say "you get what you pay for". Have any of you ever heard of Dr. Pleatman? I researched him online and on this website and everyone appears to be happy with their results??? I am hesitant only because he doesn't consult with you until the day before the surgery? Anyone else heard of this before? My choices: A.Switch to BCBS (end insurance on my husbands provider) pay the higher premiums and get the surgery done at MMPC B. Keep my husbands insurance (w/UHC-exclusion on plan) and have surgery with Dr. Pleatman/ Self pay on finance plan... Hmmm, tough choices- I need to figure it out soon though because open enrollment at UHC is coming up and if my husband takes me off his insurance that's the only time he can do so.

 HELLO PINECONE   GO TO VERTICAL SLEEVE FORUM  http://www.obesityhelp.com/forum/vsg  you find a lot of his patients ther if you find info on the insurane let  me know am looking  for pravit incuranse ,  I'am  going to mexico for my surgery next month

Please be careful with the surgery in Mexico.  You might have a very hard time finding a doctor here to handle any problems or aftercare such as blood tests and yearly visits.  I am moving to Arizona and even though I had my surgery done by a center of excellence, I'm finding it almost impossible to find someone to take me as a post-op patient.  This is one of the reasons I went with RNY from lapband.  I was afraid no one would give me fills but felt sure that there wouldn't be a problem with the RNY.  Well, I'm finding out differently.  I am hoping that I find a bariatric center to take me through a referral from the doctors at MMPC.   As far as Dr. Pleatman goes, I haven't heard anything bad about him and a lot of self-pay patients go to him.  I think I'd rather stay instate than have to head back to Mexico for aftercare.

Ann, Are there two Dr.  Pleatmans? The one I found is only 2 hours away from me here in Michigan? His website says he's in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and operates out of a hospital in Pontiac Michigan...Hmmm now I'm confused? Anyone know about this??? Kay

Ann, nevermind- I figured it out! You were talking to the person above me who is seeing Dr. Alvarez- Whoooweee, I was about to freak out for a second. Thanks for the info about aftercare...I appreciate it, good advice. Kayla