60 BMI the Insurance Trend Now?

Hi Guys,

I've already had my RNY, but today and in previous days, a lot of the "I got approved for RNY" posts have been from guys around or above the 60 BMI mark. For the sake of those applying, it might be good to know if 60 BMI is the new floor figure for immediate approval. Maybe lighter people are being corraled toward the band now, or simply rejected first go around OR maybe it's just a coincidence or my imagination.

Thanks,

Dave 

Intresting It used to be 40, or 36 with co-morbids...hmmmmthat is intresting Russ

Paul, I worry about the possible consequences of the aggressive marketing efforts of the LapBand, too. People often do not realize that medical practices are businesses. Businesses that are created and run to make profits. If you ran a mortgage or real estate company with the same business practices you describe, which are routinely and legally used in the medical field, you would be in federal prison for a long time when they caught you. While the medical fields have nice sounding names for them, the normal practices between doctors, drug companies and medical equipment manufacturers would legally be considered racketeering in many other industries. JP

Agreed. Not that I have a solution to offer, but our medical situation in the US is approaching crisis. It is sad that as rich as we are as a country, that we can not provide decent universal health care to our citizens. An embarrassment actually. JP

Well, like I said, I'm the first to admit that I do not have a solution. However, some food for thought. You may have to wait 47 days for a cardiac bypass in Canada, and be able to get it tomorrow in Dallas. However, if you do not have insurance or cash to pay for it in Dallas, you don't get it. Same for an MRI, cancer surgery, CT Scan and radiation therapy. Yes, between Medicare, the VA and private insurance, many people have access to our wonderful medical system. However, there are millions upon millions, who do not. JP

Well, Paul, we are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. I know for a fact, that when my father had heart surgery that until my brother and I came up with the $55K in ca**** was not going to happen. Period. He was too young for medicare and the cancer had already made it impossible for him to work and be covered under normal insurance. The cancer had wiped out his life savings and he ended up having to declare bankruptcy due to medical bills. I own several medium size businesses and provide health insurance as a benefit to over 450 employees. I deal with the blood sucking *******s at Humana and PacifiCare on a regular basis. It is not the indigent that suffer. There are millions of hard working Americans that fall in the gap between medicare and private insurance. Millions! JP