Post OP Insurance Question

Hey guys, this is a question for those of you who have been post-op for a year or more.  I am over a year out from RNY, for which I self-paid since my current insurance would not pay.  I currently have an individual medical insurance policy separate from my wife.  They are both BCBS of TN.  Now that I am a year out we started to look into the possibility of getting on my wife and kids policy since I no longer am overweight, no longer have sleep apnea (documented), no longer have diabetes, high blood pressure, etc..  My wife was told that anyone who has had bariatric surgery is excluded from being able to get approval on this standard family policy.  Note, we are not talking about the bariatric surgery or complication being covered, but rather an exclusion completely sort of as if I had cancer. My question is for those who have been out a while and maintained their healthy weight.  Have you had any experiences with changing insurance, trying to get on more affordable plans?  Is there a time limit (say 1-2 years with the weight off?) that makes a difference?   Anyone with experience here for medical insurance or other insurances like disability or life? Thanks Greg

 

For life insurance, I found that even in perfect health you are given a rated policy.  One of the questions, they ask is about any surgeries in the past 5-years, and if so explain.  Answering truthfully throws you into the rated category.  Answering falsely negates the policy.  After 5-years you know longer have to include the RNY as a surgery and should fall into a better category.  I will let you know next year when I try and get a new policy. Rob

Greg, I'm not sure on the individual insurance but since my wife is a liscensed agent (even though she does it more as a hobby than a career) I had her look into what life insurance policies say about the surgery.  She found some that said after a year without complications you are good to go.  I'm looking forward to that day and I'm sure my wife is to.  I like to know my family is taken care of if anything ever happens.

No experience with medical insurance, but recently applied for term life insurance. My broker told me that 7 companies responded: 4 out-right said no way, 2 said they'll  wait another year to make an offer and 1 offered me a "standard" rate for 20 yr or 30 yr term. I spoke with 2 other brokers and they told me to jump on the one offer because most companies will not insure me even though I am now 185 lbs with all co-morbidities cleared for over a year & 2 years out from RNY w/o complications. I jumped on the offer & currently waiting for underwriting. Good luck Greg.

So, the moral of the story is, if you can get life ins before surgery do it?  I have thought about some additional insurance before, I have a couple of good quotes from AFLAC and Hartford.  It never occurred to me that I would be denied after WLS.  Thanks for the post, I will def take it as a heads up and get it squared away.

Paul

Greg, here is what I ahve found when it comes to dealing with Med Ins, as a small biz owner. If you need an individual policy they will find any reason to NOT write it. You need to be in perfect health and the coverage is not nearly as good as a good group policy and far more expensive.\  Your best bet is getting insurance through your ot her employer, you cannot be denied for preexisting conditions and get the financial benfits of the group pricing. Example--- Current policy (HMO) ----        520 a month for the family(4 people) NEW job new PPO policy---   241.60 for better coverage 

Thanks for the insight guys.