Recent Posts
I definitely had my procedure and doctor selected. I ended up not needing a medical loan because I got a personal loan through Prosper. So I'll be bringing a cashier's check with me on friday when I get sleeved!
Lindsay ~ 5'4" ~ HW (5/6/13): 280 ~ SW (5/17/13): 273 ~ CW: 140
Losses by month: pre-op: -8 M1: -18 M2: -12 M3: -13 M4: -9 M5: -10 M6: -12 M7: -14 M8: -12 M9: -2 M10: -8 M11: -9 M12: -2 M13: -6 M14: -7
on 5/13/13 10:06 pm
So I keep reading horror stories about MedLoanFinance.com whenever I do an internet search, but I am seeing a lot of posts about FundMyDr.com and how great it is. These comments I'm reading all sound suspiciously like paid endorsements. I can't seem to find any actual reviews of FundMyDr either. So I am wondering if anyone here has actually used FundMyDr.com, and if so, what was your experience?
Thanks so much!
Is this a surgery loan company? Just from the name it sounds like it could be one of two types of websites, one would provide surgery loans and the other sets up an account so your friends and family can donate to your surgery. (tacky, I know.)
If you need a surgery loan the way to do it is to choose a surgeon and then they have to contract with the surgery loan people. So ask them for a list of who they contract with. Surgery loan companies require the surgeon to pay a portion of your interest, I know.. crazy. But, they do. So doctors will not contract with just anyone. They are essentially helping you to pay for your surgery. This is why when you ask about self pay costs they will say cash pay is one price and financing is a little more. They are charging you what your finance company charges them.
So you don't want to find a surgery loan company first, you want to pick your surgery type, THEN pick your surgeon, THEN pick your finance company.
on 5/13/13 10:03 pm
Hi,
My Husband and I both medically need WLS. We want gastric bypass, but are getting the run around. We can't get insurance due to not having normal jobs. We have grant jobs through our college. We have bad credit due to college and medical bills so no loan approval. (Already tried.)
I was told medicaid covers it, but we have to have children or be disable. We don't have children and getting on disability is a joke.
I am assuming our only option is going to Mexico? I doubt Obamacare would cover it either and getting a self-pay insurance its listed as excluded. I just need help and ideas, since we have to pay for 2 surgeries its gonna hurt.
Mexico can be a really good option but you have to do your research WELL. Don't shop by price, shop by skill. There is a great deal to researching a surgeon in any country including the US.
on 5/13/13 10:01 pm
My aunt and several other people I know did the gastric sleeve in Mexico. There's one surgeon close to San Diego that advertises a sleeve surgery for less than $5000. Would you be able to get that much money for one sleeve? That would probably be the best option unless you can get on MedicAid. Perhaps you could research charitable organizations that might cover some or all of the costs? Some Catholic hospitals my have a program for people who can't afford surgery otherwise.
Good luck in your journey.
Noooooo, the surgeon that advertises surgery for $5K is seriously dangerous!!!!
on 5/13/13 9:55 pm
This is a tough one because most people do not have WLS benefits, the rider an employer has to have to provide this is very expensive.
Starbucks used to have WLS benefits, last I checked they still do and you only have to be part time. What if you keep your job and work at Starbucks part time?
on 5/13/13 9:50 pm
I requested the info on requirements for surgery and the sent me a paper version of this: http://www.anthem.com/ca/medicalpolicies/policies/mp_pw_a053 317.htm
I am confused by this part: "The individual must have actively participated in non-surgical methods of weight reduction; these efforts must be fully appraised by the physician requesting authorization for surgery"
I called and inquired about it and all they keep saying is "talk to your doctor", " We're not doctors so we can't tell you" , etc. Is it sayng I need to do a supervised diet or simply show satisfactorily that I have made a concerted effort to get my weight under control with or without doctor supervision??
I have been told that I have to be referred to see a specialist but my PCP's office won't refer me unless I meet the criteria for surgery so who is the one "appraising" my diet efforts? My PCP or the surgeon? I have an appt to see my PCP and discuss all this next week, but I am driving myself batty trying to figure it out. I am ok with it if I need to do a supervised diet but I just need to know.
Any info would be much appreciated!! oh and FYI this isn't through employment so I don't believe there are any "riders" on the policy that would add to there basic requirements.
That would be something like Jenny Craig, WW, regular appointments with a Nut, regular appts with your MD to weigh you, membership to a gym with proof that you actually went, TOPS, any of those. Just some effort on your part to lose weight without jumping to surgery first.
In addition to that I would also write a very business level letter without emotion and just facts listing all the fad diets you have tried. Cabbage soup diet, Atkins, all of them. Just write a WL history and combine that with something showing poof such as your Jenny Craig receipts and you should be good to go.
on 5/13/13 9:41 pm
Well, I was approved for WLS & then (before I could get things scheduled) I got laid off. 
So now, I have no insurance coverage. 
Any one know of ANY insurance policy/company (in OHIO) that I could purchase that would help or cover RNY?? ANY information would be helpful!!!
Thanks a lot!!! 
Melissa
Private policies do not cover WLS. If they did they would go broke. Everyone would be signing up for a policy to get WLS and as soon as they had the surgery they would drop the policy. You can only get WLS through group policies. I have heard of a private policy that did cover it after a 5 year waiting period.
At this point I see two choices, either find another employer that does cover WLS or self pay. :o(
I have insurance through both my employer and my husband's. My primary is United Healthcare (mediocre coverage), and secondary is Cigna (fantastic coverage). I meet the requirements for WLS with both companies, however UHC requires 6 months of physician monitored diet and Cigna only requires 3 months. Do you think I can go ahead for Cigna approval after 3 months? Will there be any payment issues with Cigna if UHC never approved the surgery?
Thanks!
Well, I was approved for WLS & then (before I could get things scheduled) I got laid off. So now, I have no insurance coverage. Any one know of ANY insurance policy/company (in OHIO) that I could purchase that would help or cover RNY?? ANY information would be helpful!!!
Thanks a lot!!!
Melissa
on 5/9/13 11:31 am
Ok so to make a long story short.. I am supposed to be having surgery next month and I have Aetna. I have gone above and beyond to complete all required testing, classes, and follow up's. I have to have everything submitted to Aetna this month for approval. There is one thing holding up this very stressful process.. MY PCP! He is not by any means like your average doctor. I have been going to him for 3 years and he has never once weighed me! When I asked him to write the letter of support he told me to write it myself and he will sign whatever I put down in this letter. If I include past weights and BMI's from 2011-2013 in this letter "from my PCP" would that be considered a presence of sever obesity that has persisted for at least 3 years as documented in "contemporaneous clinical records?" Please help me! I have come to far to let this ruin everything. I'm just at a loss.
Hockeymom87 · 0 replies · 619 views
