WV PEIA INSURANCE QUESTION?
Hi Sarah!
I had PEIA/Acordia and had no problems with approval. I was approved the first time through. I had surgery in 2003 and the rules were a bit different then. However, once you have met their requirements, surgery approval goes fairly quickly. If you have to work to meet them, don't lose heart. It will be worth the work and wait! To read PEIA's bariatric policy with the complete list of requirements, go to http://www.westvirginia.com/peia/page.cfm?section=250&storyid=5366 There is a list of the psychological evaluation questions at the bottom if you would like to know what it is they are looking for.
As a high school/college student, you are eligible for coverage up to age 25. Their website says that "Health and life insurance coverage for a dependent child may be extended on a year-to-year basis to age 25 if the child is unmarried, enrolled as a full-time student, and dependent on you for support and maintenance. Verification of full-time student status will be requested by PEIA when your child turns age 19. Each subsequent year, you must verify your child's full-time student status by providing a completed student verification form or letter from the school's registrar. For details, see page 17 of your PY 2006 SPD." That comes from their FAQ page at http://www.westvirginia.com/peia/page.cfm?parent=71§ion=107&storyid=5273
You can also finance surgery. If you are having surgery with Dr. Shin, CAMC can help you set-up financing, as well as help with insurance. I am not sure if Dr. Stickler's office helps with outside financing, though they do help you with your insurance. You would have to call and ask them. You might also check with your bank and credit unions. Some of them have special financing for health services.
Hope this helps! Feel free to email me if you have any questions!
Beth
Beckley Weight Loss Surgery Support Group
[email protected]
http://www.geocities.com/beckleywlssg/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/beckleywlssg/