NOT SURE WHAT TO DO...

well I have been looking into the lap-band surgery now for a while I am getting very frusterted will the weight loss surgens blowing me off becuase of my insurence. I am trying a new approach with one of my ob doc. she has now sent a letter to my insurnce telling them how bad I need the surgery and why. I have gone tryed 2 doctors now and on my third doc. has anyone heard of dr. gregory walton? if so what did you think of him was he helpful or did he blow you offf as well??? If anyone can please give me some insight on this whole thing I would appreciate it so very much I am ready to cry I am so flustered.... michelle

I know that I have seen a few people with Dr. Walton's name as their surgeon.  I hope that they can help you.  How far are you willing to drive for surgery?

Welcome to the group! I love your avatar! : )

If your insurance doesn't cover weight loss surgery at all, then self-pay is definitely an option! However, if weight loss surgery isn't excluded specifically in the policy by your employer or your insurance company, then you can appeal your insurance's denial. Many have succeeded with appeals. Also, insurance companies *generally* follow NIH recommendations for criteria to have weight loss surgery ... a BMI of 40 or >, or a BMI of 35 or > with co-morbidities. If your policy covers WLS and you meet their criteria, then an appeal would definitely be worth it. There are several levels of appeals for you to go through if you choose to do that.

We have Federal BC/BS Standard Option and my surgery has been covered very well. Does your insurance just request that you use a preferred provider? Is all weight loss surgery excluded? Were you declined in a pre-determination process? Each of these situations can be dealt with in a different way.

Also, remember that surgeon's decide to contract with insurance companies, or not. It's their decision to sign the contract and accept what the insurance company pays as set in the policy, or to just say they accept the insurance, but not be contracted with them and still bill you a higher price. It's all rather complicated.

Many without insurance that covers Weight Loss Surgery choose to self-pay. If you have any questions about insurance, please feel free to ask here. We might be able to help.

I can't answer your question directly about Dr. Walton, but there are several here who have him as their surgeon and I've only read really good things about him.

Again WELCOME, and good luck!

Thank you so much... well like I said I truely hope that this new letter that was sent will be excepted...I wish I could self pay but I am a full time college student, full paying for anything is not much of an option lol. I have insurence through my husbands work and there have been a lot of people who have been approved  on our insurence and some of them didnt need it that bad but some how got it approved, I know if I dont have this surgery I will prolly loose my female organs soon...  michelle

Dr. Walton did my surgery almost 2 weeks ago.  And, he did my sister's surgery 1 week ago.  He is a very nice man and a great surgeon.  You feel very safe in his hands.  His office staff is wonderful.  Many of the staff have also had weight loss surgery so they really understand.  In my opinion I don't think you could pick a better surgical practice or a better surgeon. Good luck!

Dr. Walton and his staff at WeightWise are the BEST.  He will not blow you off.  He understands how insurance companies operate and they will do everything in their power to help you out.  There is a seminar on Saturday from 9:30AM-11:30AM if you are interested.  I think Dr. Walton will be the one conducting the seminar.  If you watch Channel 4, Bob Barry Jr. had gastric bypass by Dr. Walton a year ago and if you know him you know he has melted away and looks great! Kim

I think Toby may have this week's seminar - Greg did last weeks, but who knows if they rotate like that!!  I'll be at this weeks witha family friend.... I have been a patient of Dr. Walton's for over two years.  He is the best!!  They work the insurance companies hard to get what you need!  Schedule a seminar and at least see what the process is and what you might be able to accomplish. There are a lot of WeightWise patients here that can answer your questions in regards to the type of practice and support you get.   Good Luck - let us know what we can do for you.

I, too, had no insurance to pay for surgery.  Drs. Walton and Broussard have financing through Capital One.  It was a breeze.  I'm paying for mine over 18 months.  Get a little bit extra for the testing, and co-pays.  Ask Brandi to give you a good idea on all the costs.  They're wonderful !!!  I had my surgery in February and I'm now over 100 pounds gone !!!!  I started with losing 33 pounds before the surgery.  It's not a breeze,  I still have to watch what and how much I eat, but it is sooooo much easier now.  I'm trying to get mine paid for so my daughter can do it next!!!   My best to you.  Lynette

Well see thats the thing I do have insurence, good insurence too... its just a matter of them finally approving it and hopefully they do, cause like I said even if i had time to pay it off there is no way I could pay for that and college tuition..... I do wonder though for people with insurence, do they make you for all the pre stuff or do you pay just your copays???

My crappy insurance company did pay for everything except the actual surgery. I was financed through Capital One as well. As far as Dr. Walton, he's the absolute best surgeon ever.