No Insurance coverage

Hi everyone. I'm new to the board. Was curious if anyone that does not have insurance coverage has gone ahead and had the surgery? My insurance company has an exclusion on it, even though my employer is always promoting good health and weight control, the insurance company won't pay anything for weight control. I'm curious about the costs of the surgery/hospital bills. Thanks.

Casey welcome to the missouri board. hope this wont be the last we see of you. I myself dont really know what the cost of having the surgery is per cash. My doctor in Sedalia and the hospital there i think would probably be the cheapest in the state but i would if i were you get the list of them over to the left on the board and call them and see. That would be about the best way i would know to do. Good luck. Jan

Casey, I had Dr. Christopher Edwards at St. John's in Springfield and I think their all-inclusive charges for hospital and doctor were quoted to me as $25,000. My insurance paid for my surgery. If I were you I'd talk to the HR person at work and ask why they are excluding weight loss surgery when they are promoting healthy living. Your employer is ultimately in control of what the insurance covers and there is a possibility they could give you an exception to the exclusion if you have medical necessity. You could also look into the possibility of changing jobs to a company that has insurance that covers surgery. However, if you want to consider paying for surgery yourself, think of how much a new car costs nowadays and we just go out and get one when we think we need one. If you have the means perhaps you could borrow the money to have the surgery and pay it off over several years like a car loan. It all really boils down to medical necessity and the ability to get a PCP who will help you prove that WLS will make you healthier. Good luck and we'll want to hear how it's going for you. Lana

Casey keep pushing it, if i were you I would get an appointment with a doc. and go from there. I wouldnt give up on the insurance paying for it yet..I have not been through it, but I listen to prople on here they finely get there insurance to pay for it...glad to see you on here...vesta

Hi Casey, I don't have insurance and I am planning to have the surgery. I was quoted $25,000 and I figured that my health was worth more than that to me. And, I thought if I have to take out a loan and make payments that I will stick to it and work really hard to be the best that I can be. I heard a guy this weekend on tv say "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels". I like that! Sharlene