OMG...I can't stop crying

I just got a call from my pulmonary office saying that my coverage doesnt cover the bi-pap machine I need. I have severe apnea, one of the worse cases my Doc has seen and they still wont cover it. To make matters worse I was told not even the 2 sleep studies I had done would be covered. This is when I called the insurance company.  So I guess I'll be expecting a hefty bill sometime soon. I don't know what Im going to do. I'm scheduled for surgery rny Sept 21. I've been looking forward to a good nights rest. I have americhoice/medicaid part D I pay $46 a month plus co pays and medication. It's not much but Im not getting the benefit completely free either. Those that get it free are covered. I'm unemployed and have an income which is not low enough to qualify me for free coverage but I do not have extra money to spend on anything else..I don't know what i'm going to do..I have a big pit in my stomach and am trying to hold it together.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you. Have you tried called the makers of the machine etc. to see if they have any program for the unemployed or those who can't afford to pay like drug companies do? Just a suggestion. Or try calling someone in your local government, they might be able to find an agency who can help you.

Get a copy of your policy to ensure these folks are correct. Also call back and speak to a supervisor. Each time I get a band-fill I get bills I shouldn't. Each time I call the insurance company I am told it's not covered.

POLITELY I ask to speak to the supervisor. When they get on the phone I explain that I have no exclusion on my policy and/or previous adjustments have been covered. I usually get the "please wait" reply and after a few minutes I hear "oh, I can see they coded it wrong, so I am going to put it back in". After a few more calls, I usually get a statement stating it's fully covered.

So double/triple check.

And as suggested, call the company. There are many companies that have help for those with little to no insurance.

My doctors office said they would try and call a few different places for help. In the meantime I found someone who is selling their bipap machine for $150. I haven't bought it yet cause I'm not sure what the Pulm. doctor will say about buying a used one. I imagine the rx can be recalibrated on the machine to the levels my doctor wants me on.  I want this surgery so bad. This is my second time "going for it". The first time was several yrs ago. I was going through a divorce and they denied me 2 days before my surgery because I didn't have a medical supervised weight loss history. I lost my insurance due to the divorce a month later :( Many more pounds gained since the last time, Im here again on this journey. Trying to have a positive attitude.

I AM SORRY THAT YOU ARE HAVING SUCH ISSUES. I KNOW IT SUCKS. BUT I CALL MY INSURANCE ALL THE TIME AND I ALWAYS SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOUR POLICY STATES AND TAKE IT FROM THERE. I HOPE THE BEST OR YOU.

Are you coming to the Sept IGT?          Mary C

I would love to come but it's very close to my surgery date and I have quite a few appointments that week. My new surgery date is Sept 21. I still haven't heard anything from my pulmonoligist and I'm on hold with the insurance company. I went through something very similar to you. I read your blog. I was supposed to have this surgery about 4 yrs ago and was denied about 2 days before my surgery. I had b/c b/s New York. I divorced 2 months later so never got to have the surgery(insurance terminated) Many pounds heavier I found myself on this journey again, hoping for a different outcome this time. Your story was very encouraging. Thank you for sharing.