Help Insurance won't cover!!!!

Has anyone who is a state employee been successful in getting BCBS HMO State Health Benefit Plan to cover their surgery? I went to Dr. Duncan's seminar today and was told that my insurance would not cover the surgery. Please respond as soon as possible. I would like to know about other options. :)

My insurance would not cover my WLS. So I looked for other options. You can look on the Alabama board and look into DR. BRYAN FREEMAN web site. I used him and paid cash. They have special financing that you can get as well, it is through CAPTIAL ONE. I really liked DR FREEMAN he really knows what it is like to have the WLS. Because he has had the surgery himself. The staff is really wonderful too. So check him out. Jeannie P.S. I too have BCBS- HMO with my company, and I'm hearing that to have the surgery in GEORGIA with any insurance is getting HARDER. But I was wanting my HEALTH back. So now that I have my health I'm fighting with them. Because mine was medicaly ness. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!

How much does Dr. Freeman charge?

I am so sorry to read your post...I can totally sympathize with what you are going through. I have Humana insurance...when I started this process September '05 my insurance policy covered the proceedure. I went to Dr. Duncan's seminar (several of my good friends used him and were very successful with their results).....scheduled all of my required (by Humana) presurgery appointments...I was almost completely through with all of the requirements when....BAM...Humana dropped the coverage unless my firm purchased an additional rider. The cost of the rider was approximately the same cost as the surgery and all associated fees...hospital, labs, future followup appointments. The office manager at Dr. Duncan's office negotiated a cash price with all in of just under $25,000.00. I went through Capital One for healthcare financing. I was approved instantly (I was told that almost everyone is approved). After surgery I took out an equity line with a much lower rate and paid off the Capital One. I do not for one minute regret any of my decisions. After the shock of finding out my policy didn't cover the surgery wore off..I rationalized my surgery as necessary for my health and well being. I don't have a car payment and the surgery costs will be paid off in less time than a car. Good luck, I hope you can also find a way. Just keep in mind that this IS surgery. Be sure to research whoever you choose to use....cost is not the only factor. Best wishes -karen-

I had my surgery in April of 2005 at Emory, BCBS HMO paid for all of mine with the exception of the deductible. Get LOTS of letters of recommendation from your PCP, OB/GYN, or any other physician you see regularly and make friends with a cutomer service rep at BCBS and your doctor's office. Be sure you have at least 6 months of medical records that document your weight loss efforts and a personal diet history (weigh****chers, slim fast, dexa-trim etc..) as well as a family medical history that shows any conditions that might be hereditary. Oh, and also have a list of your medical conditions as well as any meds. you might take. Good luck to you! Teresa

Okay, now I have found out that my insurance policy has bariatric surgery as an exclusion. I am looking into financing this procedure. Any ideas? Also, I would like to know about different surgeons. Any help would be greatly appreciated.