Frustrated

Well, it is January 2008 and I have hit my last road block that is stopping me from getting the surgery.  I found out the the reason my insurance company won't pay for the surgery is that they believe it is too risky and they don't want to take on the risk.  I even sent in an application to the University of Iowa hospital and since my surgery has two (2) exclusions regarding obesity, they won't even put me on the waiting list.  I have been hopeful but now the air is slowly deflating out of my balloon.  I know I could self pay if I could afford it but that is not an option.  I can't try to finance money when I have no extra money.  It is getting harder to walk and breathe for any distance.  My husband now has to help me put on my socks because I can't bend over that far.  I am 38 years old and sitting at 447 and miserable.  I live in Iowa, so traveling is also an issue for long distance.  I know there is no miracle drug out there, because I think I have tried them all.   I have learned that if you think it is too good to be true, it is!  I have cut back on my calorie intake but now since I have a mobility problem, exercise is quite difficult.  I try to do as much as I can.  I even went to the different talk show websites, like Oprah (for example) and told my story but I haven't heard from any of them in over a year.  My insurance is with United Health Care and I even had my HR person contact them, and they won't budge on their decision.  I have went thru 3 levels of appeals with all declines.  I am married but my husband is disabled and can't do alot of part time jobs.  I have two children and I just want to be able to go for a walk with them.  Taking a bath in a bathtub without any aids would make me on cloud 9.  Is there anyone out there that could let a little light in at the end of my tunnel?

Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your insurance woes. It just amazes me that some insurance companies refuse to pay for surgery when it has been proven over and over how it saves lives and money for hospitalization and medicines. Since both of you are disabled, you could apply for medicaid or medicare and they would pay for surgery. Other wise you can get a loan from companies that finance surgery. Good luck in your search. Mona