Did you know?...
Hi everyone, I just found out something recently that may be of interest to you. I have been trying to get health insurance since the Fall of last year. Every time I would sign up they asked my weight. After I told them, they would deny my application for health insurance based on my height and weight. I finally got short term insurance that lasts for one year and then I'm out of luck. I also found out that after I have WLS that I become uninsurable on a policy that is not a group policy. If I or my husband goes to work for a company that has group insurance, then I can be insured. Otherwise, I can not be insured in Missouri--so I'm told by 2 agents. So, if you have group insurance now, then don't lose it!!! Hang onto it for dear life. We had group insurance before my husband lost his job, but we couldn't afford the COBRA of $942 per month while he was on unemployment of $250 per week. When he got a job, we were sent to BCBS of Kansas City which all the other employees have, but not as a group, and I was turned down because of my height and weight. I just thought this was something that you guys might be interested in learning. God bless all of you.
Linda
Linda,
There is something known as the Missouri Health Insurance Pool for those who cannot get health coverage from private insurance companies. The premiums are not cheap, by any means, but they accept those who cannot get insurance elsewhere.
The Missouri Department of Insurance could provide more information on this. The consumer toll-free number is 1-800-726-7390. I doubt that the Pool would cover WLS, given that the State does not cover it on their employee plan anymore. But if you are able to have it on the current plan, then you could still be covered on the Pool afterward, although any complications might not be covered.
Good luck to you.