Fighting the War on Sucky Insurance!

Hi All. I am new to this website and trying to find out more information on how I can get help to treat my current health issues.  I am 24 years old and got diagnosed with PCOS about 6 months ago.  Before that i was misdiagnosed twice, once with kindey issues and once with pancreatitis.  Come to find out the massive pain was contributed by rupturing cysts. Since then I have also developed diabetes that I control with metformin, for right now.  The body hair is a small problem but I easily control that with grooming.  My period comes regularly but my hormones are off the charts.  It's almost so bad I would be tempted to call myself manic at some moments.  Not to mention the high possibilty of cancer in my future and the likelihood of infertility. All of these issues stem from the PCOS, which possibly stems from the weight. So I am tending to rattle on a bit, but my main question is my employer will not cover any sort of weight loss surgery.  So does anyone know where to start looking for medical insurances who will cover the surgeries and then finding companies who offer that insurance?

Have you filed an appeal? The fact of the matter is that most insurance companies hope that most people just give up when they are denied and don't pursue it further. But the fact of the matter is, you have a right to an appeal and a medical review of your case. I have PCOS and was initially denied. Here's what I did. I got letters and documentation, lab tests, (5 pounds worth)from my medical doctor and an endocronologist (if you have diabetes, you should be seeing an endo, if not make an appointment now!) Get as much information as you can. Overwhelm them with paperwork. If you ever attended a weight loss group like weigh****chers, Jenny Craig, etc., get copies of your weigh-ins to show unsuccessful  past attempts at weight loss. It took 6 months, but I got approved. Basically, you have to be a pain, but most insurance companies don't want to deal with you when you overwhelm them with documentation.

Thats all great advice.  Thanks! I am seeing an endocrinologist, and she is wonderful. Part of my issue with my insurance is that my employer added surgeries as an exception as to what they will not cover.  If I bombard them with paperwork, will they still just deny me because of that exception?  I am not sure how all this insurance stuff works and the websites I have looked on have told me that I am basically stuck with the exception policy.  But you never know some trick someone else might know of.

More and more insurance companies are putting WLS on as a rider much like chiropractic care.  Basically the long and short of it is that if your policy specifically states that it is not covered---then it is not covered.  If it was covered it would normally state , "covered IF MEDICALLY necessary"...that is a whole other ballgame.   You can try to convince your employeer to pick up the rider...depending upon how big the company that might be sucessful.   I dont know much about purchasing an individual plan---sorry, no info there.  You can look around on this forum:  http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/insurance/ good Luck Michelle