Some Bad News

I just got word today that I will be losing my TennCare in a couple of months. This wont be a real tragedy as far as my general health because my husband can cover me on his insurance at work. It will take a major bite out of our budget but we will just have to manage. The real problem is that his insurance has an ironclad exclusion for weight loss surgery and related care. So I wont be covered for followup visits. I don't know about labs yet, but they probably wont be covered either. We are not well-off financially so this will be a major problem each year when I'm due to see the surgeon. I'm trying to stay up and take this in stride. After all, this could have happened months ago before I had my surgery. I've been blessed with no complications so far, but it is a little scary to know I'm not covered if something does happen. I knew this issue was being discussed but I was hoping they wouldnt take TennCare from people in my situation, who are listed as disabled an eligible for SSI but whose spouse makes too much to allow SSI checks. I lost the check about 5 years ago. My son, who is autistic, lost his also, when my husband's income reached a certain level.
So, anyway, I just needed to vent a bit.
Karen

Sorry to hear about all of this for you. We can feel your pain, Phil lost his also, so he is without insurance as of 07/01. We are trying to find a plan that will accept him. We both have medicare, but neither of us has anything that will cover the 20% that they don't cover, and as we know that 20% can get out of hand in a hurry. I hope you find something that will work for you and your family.

Cheryl

Thanks, Cheryl. I've got a call in to my surgeon's office now to see if they will allow me to make payments or something for my 6 month visit. I'm hoping this will work out.
Karen

I am so sorry that through all your battles that this is something you have to think about when it should be something least on your mind.  I for one do not believe that an income level should always come in to play because in this day and time where everything is so expensive everyone is just trying to make it and you need insurance!  I will be praying for you and hope things work out.  I love your attitude though...that is half the battle!

I agree. It doesn't seem fair to me. I am disabled according to their guidelines and I cant work. It is my husband's income they are holding against me. My husband does make decent money, especially for this area, but most of his money is made from overtime. In others words, working his tail off. He works at least 64 hours a week. It feels like me and my son are being punished because my husband is such a hard worker. I assume that they will take my son's medicaid next. He turned 19 in December. He can't work either, or at least we havent found a place for him where he can be completely supervised. His autism makes him distractable and unpredictable. He get nothing now as far as income because of my husband's income. Only medicaid.

I heard back from my surgeon's office and the fee for a visit isn't as bad as I thought. I know they will bill me for the labs. I will just have to pay that as I can.

Thanks so much for your support.
Karen

They may cover the follow up.  Most surgeon's offices bill it as something like vitamin deficiency not as surgery follow up.

Good Luck!

Have you talked to your surgeon about this?  Are follow up visits related to the surgery not included in the price you paid for surgery?  Maybe your surgeon's office will be willing to see you on a graduated price scale in light of the cir****tances....I hope it all works out!! xo, Micheala.