Sitting here crying

Hi Everyone, I just got a letter from my insurance company yesterday stating that as of January 2005 they will no longer cover WLS. They are covering right now but my first evaluation isn't until 10/28/04. The bad thing is my husband works at UHC and they are giving him a worse plan than if he worked somewhere else and had United. I will never get through this process before the end of the year. I am absolutely devastated right now. Does anyone have any suggestions??

Do like Susie said and call the surgeons office and tell them what's up. If they won't help then call another surgeon. Don't give up hope. Donna

My sister-in-law just had her WLS in June. She was going through a divorce at the time and her insurance was through her husband's job. She was in a huge rush to have the surgery before the divorce finalized and she no longer had the coverage. She did explain this to her Surgeon and the surgery was pushed up to a sooner date. Don't give up, this can still happen for you. Worst case scenario, call another surgeon or have your surgeon refer you to someone who can help you sooner. I have been denied surgery today, I am in tears ... My insurance company covers the procedure and finds that I would be eligible, but my employer had the policy written to exclude my sugery or any treatments of morbid obesity under my plan. I am beyond crushed. Best of luck to you and never give up, I know I won't give up, I am appealing this with my company's policy writers...

Trish, Do you suffer medical problems due to your obesity? Appeal to your employer. Write a letter on your behalf explaining that you need this surgery and why. I saw where one person did that and got his wife approved. Donna

It's to early in the morning for me, lol. I read your post again and saw you have plans on appealing to your company. Best of luck and let us know how things come out. Donna

I understand about the early in the morning thing...Thank you for responding. I have already written a rough draft of my appeal and will be contacting the Nutritionist, Psychologist, the Surgeon and my primary care physician today asking for letters to attach to my appeal. I found all the information I needed on this WLS site and I am so thankful for all the support I am getting from all of you who are in my shoes wanting a normal healthy lifestyle. I try to keep my profile updated so I will let you all know how things are going there. And thank you so much again for your support. Together the work and research we do now can change things for the better in the future for others in our current position. And thank you again for supporting me.

I'm with you Trisha in standing as "ONE" and making it possible for everyone to have WLS without a darn fight from the insurance company. Only we can change that if we all unit together. I think it's the ones like us that are having to fight tooth and nail to get approved for WLS that can make the biggest changes as we know the pain of being turned down and suffering while we must fight. I'm so tired of calling and talking to the insurance company. I'm tired of not feeling well and having to go back and forth every single week to the Doctors office. It's been a real long year for me and all I want is my health back. I want to start living and enjoying life. Gary is trying to make that change in the law so everyone that qualifies can get WLS www.Obesitylawyers.com Donna

You are so right Donna, we will not give up this battle it is so important for all of us. I have been feeling so much better knowing that I have so much support and today, even though I have a little stomach flu, I feel a renewed strength and I will continue to work toward my goal and share the information I gather with all of you who have helped me so much. Bless you all.

It is important when people share their good and bad stories on OH because it may help others. I called my insurance company this morning and was told that my second time around in trying to get approved for WLS is in the review board. Well I was told this same story last week on Tuesday (10/5) The lady told me to call this coming Friday and believe me I'll be calling them and if I get the same story again then I'm going to ask why is it taking so long this time around when it only took a week from the time it went to the review board. I'm finding that you must be sweet but FIRM with these insurance companies and don't let them pull your string the wrong way. Donna

I'm sure you are disappointed. Go ahead and cry your eyes out. When you are finished, you need a plan to go forward. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it took UHC 10 weeks to make a decision on my request for Prior Approval. Do you work? Is coverage available through your employer? If not, maybe you and your husband could find a new job with better insurance benefits. Good luck to you on your journey, Roberta