EMERGENCY REVISION???

Well here I am less than 48 hours out of an emergency lap band revision. I have been experiencing difficult eating for two weeks now. Of course I assumed I had eaten something a little off course so I decided to switch to liquids and mushies for a couple days. On September 28th I tried to eat a taco and BOOM that was all it took!

As the week progressed I was experiencing extreme heartburn, inability to keep liquids and food down. I was slowly starving. I called my surgeon on Monday October 5th and he requested I come to the hospital right away for a barium swallow. Sure enough, worse news possible. I had a severe slip. He removed 1.4cc from my band and insisted on scheduling surgery as soon as possible. No gravity or time would allow for my stomach to return to its natural position, surgery is my only option to live.

 I decided that if I had gone this long another couple days would allow me time to make ends meet with my health insurance. I waited and waited. BCBS denied the first letter of request. My surgeon than appealed stating this was a life threatening issue. BCBS deemed it medically necessary however my group declined the procedure stating they exclude ALL bariatric surgeries. My group is my employer and it all boiled down to the coding! How can an insurance company NOT save a life when deemed medically necessary due to a fkn number, what is this world coming to?

As each day went on I was becomming weaker and weaker-barely able to get out of bed in the morning. I was severely dehydrated and ended up in the ER Friday morning. Surgery was scheduled immediately. I am in extreme pain, I am struggling knowing what type of bill I will have-I am a single Mom who cannot afford a surgery of this sort (medically necessary) without assistance from my health insurance provider who I have been paying into for 8 years now. Mind you BCBS did allow for my band to be placed.

I did not receive a new band. They went in and placed the stomach back in the correct position and repositioned the band with new sutures. I do however have many many new incisions which is very difficult for me! I am happy the surgery was a success however I am paying off a 8k lower body lift. I had one tiny scar from my lap band nearly 5 years ago. I thougth I was done with scars. My tummy tuck is now ruined.

I feel horrible, I am overly emotional and need all the support I can get....God bless! Does anyone know what the policy is on covering an emergency surgery? When I went to the hospital I never imagined that they would send me to the OR immediately, please help!!!!!!!!

HAS ANYONE HAD EMERGENCY SURGERY COVERED OR IS IT CONSIDERED COVERED DUE TO ITS NATURE?