So sad..need help (surgery through Anthem BCBS)

I just found out Fridayfrom my surgeon's office, that my insurance company Aetna through my husband's work will not cover any bariatric surgery.It is excluded in the company's plan.I called the HR person who deals with benefits and she confirmed it and said that she doesn't think it's right..but that's the company.She also said one of her co-workers had to self pay to have RNY. I was so depressed..crying all day Friday.I need this surgery badly.I've tried everything.My doctor thinks this would save my life.I need to lose almost 200lbs and I am only 27.I already have high bp,diabetes,edema,reflux,joint pain,PCOS,and low thyroid..and more.I've tried everything and can't lose more than about 10 pounds.My high weight along with the PCOS and thyroid the weight doesn't come off. I feel like my dream ended.My surgeon and staff had no doubt I would be approved.They said my case was really "bad" and that I would be approved.However they/we didn't know about the exclusion. Someone on the KY board suggested me going through another insurance like Blue Cross/Blue Shield and trying to get RNY that way.I don't know if I can afford another bill but I am willing to do almost anything..even get another job (I work part time..have a baby and six year old..hubby works full 60-70 hours a week already) to have this surgery.I just feel so miserable health wise and can't go on like this much longer. Has anyone had experience getting BCBS or any other insurance on YOUR own without a group/company plan and getting RNY? Is it even possible? Will they hold it against me because of my health problems I have now? Do I have to tell them?  I am so lost with all of this..any advice would be so helpful.Thanks so much.

I am not sure, but I have heard that most private insurance policies do not cover wls. Have you checked with financing through a company like CareCredit? Or trying to find another job that provides an insurance policv that covers. I have a friend that took another job to have her surgery covered.

Dear Shannon I also have an inurance that has an exclusion that states that obesity treatment is only covered if caused by sickness or injury. I am now on my second level of appeal and I have contacted most of all politicians in my area plus the president of USA. To make a long story short, tomorrow is when they will be presenting my second level of appeal in front of the board and there will be a Senator there speaking on my behalf. My point here is fight the insurance and try to make them change their policy. Mine is now considering changing from tottal exclusion to medically necessary. Good Luck and let me know if I can help you in any way. Patty

Hello again

My meeting went well and even though I have not yet gotten an approval they thought me how to try to bypass this language barrier.

My plan excludes treatment for obesity. Therefore if my doctor requests pre-cert for gastric bypass surgery for the treatment of any specific or all co-morbidities it would not be considered treatment for obesity but treatment for the sickness

Thank you for the info. Please keep us posted on whether this was successful. Just curious, what is the specific exclusion language in your insurance policy?