Any hope for getting lapband surgery paid in full?

I am a single mom, 18 year old daughter in college, I would very much like to have the lap band surgery however my humana plan that I have through my employer (University of Cincinnati) will not cover the procedure at all.  As with everyone, the economy ha**** me hard.  I filed for bankruptcy in 2008.  My expenses, with my house payment give me no extra cash at all.  My savings account is non existent. How does one go about getting this covered some how if you are honestly working, insurance won't cover it and can't afford to pay for it on my own?

I attended a info session last year at Deaconess and was told I had to get coverage before they would even try to work with me.  And the cost then was 16,000.00 out of pocket. 

I am on a Cpap machine for my sleep apnea, I have an underactive thyroid, & acid reflux. In the past year I had my gall bladder removed, broke my foot falling, and broke an elbow falling too.  I am scheduled to have a rectoseal correction in August.  This was caused by constipation from the medications I was on.  I take 2 different prescriptions for cholesterol, 1 for thyroid, 1 for depression, 1 for bone density, & 1 for urinary incontinence.  I think if I had the surgery it would improve all of my health and I wouldn't have to take so many pills.  Please advise. I don't know where to start.

Unfortunately, insurance and self-pay (either out of savings or via one of the medical loan programs) are the only options I am aware of no matter how much you might benefit from the surgery.  Some insurance policies will cover RNY, though, even if they won't cover the lap band or DS, so you might check into that. 


Lora

It seems to me in talking to folks at support groups that UC's insurance does pay for RNY.  Could that be an option?  Also, in these economic times, could you bargain with the UC Physcians program (Or maybe talk to Dr. Curry  ) about lower rates?

By the way, Deaconness is shutting down their program.

If you do end up going self pay, most places have cheaper rates for self pay patients. 

Good luck

Will they cover any procedure? 

I know that my former employer excluded LapBand from coverage because of several employees who have had complications or needed revision surgeries

Hello! I am going through the same thing. Yes the Deaconess practice of bariatric is closing. But it really sucks because the economy ha**** us hard. UC won't cover it because It's a big expense(how pathetic) and when you try to get a doctor letter of reccommendation, they STILL turn it down. I can't afford to self pay; and i'm only 23. I was at good samartian on monday, they told me I have chronic asmtha. I never had that! But they do have a great Bariatric program you could get in at Good Samaritian. Please try that!