Feeling Stuck Need to Vent-Self Pay?

Well now that BCBS state health benefit plan offically does not cover WLS. I just don't know what to do. I went through pre op, paid almost $300 in co payment and for what? I have thought about trying to get my own health issurance but who is going to cover me at 280 pounds. I am so fustrated

Hi Tara, Just to let you I have BCBS PPO Individual policy, and guess what, it has a specific exclusion on my policy regarding WLS, even with a $1500 deductible. So with that in mind, if you do decide to check into an individual policy with another insurance, be sure to ask questions about the policy before you sign on the dotted line. I ended up being a self-pay patient in order to have my surgery on June 20. I was lucky in several ways (even being a self-pay)...first of all, the doctors, etc. discount their service payments as compared to insurance patients (I believe), and two, I had saved my tax season bonus $$ for the surgery (which covered all expenses except for the hospital). With all this being said, please email me privately, and we can discuss maybe some other options. Norma

Tara, hi! I'm not exactly sure whether you just anticipate that they will reject you or they already did.... but I too have BCBS HMO ... and work for the state, and they approved me 2 days after Doc. submitted my paperwork... and it was just 2 weeks ago....and my BMI was marginal... Sleep apnea and GERD were the only 2 documented comorbidities.... what I'm trying to say I guess, is not to get dicouraged too fast... best of luck to you

Rita, as of July 1 they no longer cover it

Hey Tara, I feel your pain, I also have State health.....

I too also work for the state and stupid cigna denied me back at the first of February based on the exclusion that was supposed to take place July 1, 2005. Now I have hired an attorney and am fighting it but they just on July 6 upheld the original decision althought they messed up in the first place. go figure....