xpost- self pay insurance? medicare/medicaid?

As some of you may know, I do not currently have health insurance. I was thinking of signing up for self-pay insurance, but I was told that I could not be approved for a private insurance since I was so overweight. Has anyone had this experience, and found a company to approve you AND get the surgery approved by that insurance on top of that? This might be a crazy question, but it's worth a shot!

Anyone here get approved for Medicare or Medicaid, I'm not sure the difference or if I am eligible.

I want to self-pay and have the money saved, but $25K is a lot of money and if I can get an insurance that would pay I would be on top of the world!

Thanks for any advice!

Gina

Hello Gina,  My name is Lakeesha.  I was in the same situation.  It took me three years to finally have surgery.  When I first decided to have surgery, my insurance at my workplace did not pay for WLS.  Soon after that, I became really ill and had to quit work.  I applied for Disability and Medicaid, in which I was approved.  I live in FL and unfortunately, Medicaid stop paying for the surgery.  You have to wait a year before You can become eligible for Medicare when you are on disability.  Anyway, I finally got approved for surgery and Medicare paid for it.  I had my surgery in Nov. 07.   I weighed 600lbs. and  I have lost 185 pounds.  I have far to go but I am truly happy about my recent weight loss.  However, I am having a problem with Medicare paying for skin removal but I  will continue to try to get them to pay.

My suggestion to you is to see if you can get approve for Medicaid.  Some states still will pay, not Fl.  Talk to some bariatric surgeons in your area and see if they have a financing program.  Talk to your primary phycisian and see if they have any info.  They usually know of surgeons or organizations that may can help you.  Please, don't give up.  It took me three years and it has been well worth the wait.  Good Luck to you!~~Lakeesha