hello everyone! newbie here..need help!!

hello..i need some help!  i would like to have the rny..my situation is no health insurance...to heavy to qualify..individual plans won't cover wls ...(unless there is one i am missing)...so..my pcp is against wls surgery (but will give diet pills..go figure) so i found a new pcp..i haven't seen him yet..my dilemma is how am i going to pay for this surgery..sooo my choices are a) find another person to go in with me as a group..(not easy) ..b) go on medicaid or access...c) get married and get on my new husbands health insurance..d)pay for it myself....yes i am desperate!  my new line when i meet a man is ...so..do you have health insurance..hmm..who is your carrier and what plan..LOL...(i know i'm crazy) so..what is my first step?  i am now leaning toward access...do i go to a new pcp and get the ball rolling? do i wait until its approved.....please help me! lol...........thanks!

Hi Carol! I didn't have health insurance for a while either. I was turned down by several carriers because of my weight. Then I learned I could get Personal Choice from Independence Blue Cross. It doesn't go through underwriting and only costs a few dollars a month more than their HMO plan I had tried to get. (Mine is a PPO.) If you have Blue Cross in your area, check with them if they have a similar plan. I learned about it from their customer service. It covered my rny (I had to wait till I had coverage for a year), and I'm really happy with the coverage I have. Good luck!!! Julia

I can't recommend an affordable insurance, but agree that the PPO of Blue Cross in Philadelphia is great.  It paid for my insurance.  Good luck,
Trish

Other than a national health care plan which is soo not happening lol
I would sugggest MA there are surgeons who wiill do the surgery for those with MA

Hello!  Thanks for your help.  I have another question.  Should I get a new pcp to get the ball rolling ie: 6 month diet..or should I just wait until I get some sort of coverage.  I am afraid that if I do anything and its considered a pre existing condition.  I just went through an nightmare with my last insurance co ..health america (they SUCK) I had a hip replacement and they tried to say it was a pre-existing condition.  I fought and won but it was a looooong, stressful road.  I  dropped them as my carrier because of the hell they put me through.  I don't have another fight in me at the moment!  Thanks for your suggestions and  support !! 

I am going thru a battle with insurance coverage myself currently.  Are you working?  If not I would go with Medical Assistance.  They cover wls because they figure you'll end up costing them less that way!!!! United Health Care is the way to go from what I've heard.  And if you have co-morbidity issues such as HTN or diabetes, I would definitely find a new pcp.

yes i am self employed...i am going to check out Medical assistance....and i do have co-morbidities..yes i did find a new pcp..its funny i graduated with him..and haven't seen him in like 30 yrs...hehe...but i read about him on this website...another funny part is i used to chase him around the class room teasing him when we were in jr high school..then 30 yrs later pop into his office...i should chase him around his office...LOL....j/k of course............thanks for your support!!!!!

I have blue cross but through the state employee trust (pa state employee) they will not cover the surgery no matter what, I’ve tried. I to an depressed over it and my weight. I was 324lbs in 2003. Lost 140 lbs and kept it off till later part of 07. I went through the change of life early, found out my rottie Abby had cancer and became very depressed. So much I didn’t want to leave my home to go to work. My doctor put me on hormone pills, which made the depression worse. So I went on Cymbalta and I ate. Gained all but 30 pounds of my weight back and now weigh in at 295lbs. Angry at my self for allowing it to happen when I swore it wouldn’t. Called my insurance co and asked about lap band. They informed me since I was a state employee that none of the surgeries or diet pills are covered by them. Not because of Blue Cross but because of the “employee trust". I can’t get a loan and don’t have the cash to pay for it myself, so I’m stuck. Right now I’m following a 2000 calorie diet and feel okay about it. I just started so I hope I have the will power to do it myself again, like the last time

I hope that you do well!  I wish you the best!  I know about being depressed, I too am very depressed and frustrated.  I will figure out a way!   I am sooooo determined to get this surgery!  I was going to have it a few years back but went on Jenny Craig and lost about 55 lbs and was doing quite well..So after my insurance nightmare I gained and actually am heavier than I was when I started.  I am heavier than I have ever been.  Sorry to hear about your Abby!  That is heart wrenching! Keep in touch!  I am going to get through this one way or another!!! My friend just had the rny in april and lost 75 lbs..she looks fabulous! I am really happy for her.  I actually helped her in her wls journey, now shes helping me.  I guess thats what friends are for! Take care!!

I don't have any answers for you but wanted to welcome you to the boards and say hello!

Pam