A favor please...

You know...we have a great thing here on this board! I'm not sure if any of you have ever taken a gander at the boards for other states, but it seems to me that we have a pretty rockin crowd here. A supportive crowd...a responsive crowd...and a pro-active crowd. I consider myself fortunate to have all of this so close to me...and also the ability to meet the people in person that I have drawn so much strength from. I have my sister, Cyndee, to thank for pointing me in the direction of this surgery that has changed my life and put me on the road to good health. She lives in Indiana and is new to AMOS. She was on the road to this surgery well before I was. I am 4 months post-op and she is still fighting her insurance company. I think she had given up, but I directed her to this web site...so she could plug into a good support group. Her health is poor and I'm not sure how much time she has to fight her insurance before she overtaken by co-morbs. She is alone with no support (except me...from a long distance). I wish for her the support that I have here. I know this all sounds melodramatic...but I am sincere. The favor that I ask all of you, especially those who have had to fight for your surgery...even those that have had to give up the ghost and self-pay....is that you send her a message of support. I honestly think that it would energize her...inspire her...and give her the strength to fight another day. Her profile is at: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=S1085757067 You can email her if you click on "email me" in the info a the top left of her profile page. She has also posted on her profile some of the trouble she is having. Thank you all very much! OREGON RULES!!! -Mary P

did it!! There is a lawyer (have to research who as I have forgotten cuz I don't have a need for him) who has had WLS and has offered his survices (free I believe, as that is why he can't advertise on the MB, doesn't want to charge there for he would be spending his own money out on advertising) so if your sis wants, I will find out who he is again and get her his info... he can't post it that often cuz he gets in trouble from the moderators.. seems silly to me if your offering "free" legal councel but what ever!! I don't know him or the situation.. could be that he offers free and then charges?????????????????? if I were having to appeal I would hire a lawyer.. talk to you later theresa

Thanks Girly!! You're a PEACH!! I had heard of lawyers taking on insurance companies but didn't know any names...and I wasn't aware of one offering services for free. wow! Thanks again Chica! Talk to ya soon!! -Mary

Hi Mary, I wrote your sis and told her about my experience with Walt Lindstrom from obesitylaw.com. He and his wife Kelley were excellent and with their help my denial was reversed and I had surgery on April 19th. The cost was $800 from beginning to end. I often wonder why people give up so easily and private pay 25K-30K when, for $800 there's a good likelihood their denial can be overturned. Walt has a 90%+ success rate in getting denials overturned, as long as the denial isn't because of a policy exclusion. If the denial is because of a policy exclusion then his success rate is about 50% I believe. It's on his website. Anyway, I'm hoping your sis will email me back as I'd be glad to talk to her or anyone else about it. Chari

Thank you soooo much Chari!! I just received an email from my sister today, and she sounds so much more positive than she did before! This is exactly what I am hoping for. She is all alone, with zero support...and not the type of person to really reach out for it! I'm so grateful for you kindness!! Thank you, again and again! -Mary P

I have to go to bed very soon, but I will try to fire her off an email tonight when it's quiet at work! What a great sis you are for doing this. Dina

Hi Mary, I will surely send her a note of encouragement. I cannot relate to the insurance part of her fight. Kaiser never refused to pay, I never had to contest anything. How frustrating to feel alone in all this, I am glad she has you on her side. Love TS