Suffocating - No Insurance/No 25 Grand/What Can I do?

Hi, I'm new to the site so I don't really have much of a profile up and ready yet, but I am 18 and about 330 lbs. I've wanted to get gastric bypass since I graduated high school last May. Last summer was supposed to be my time to make a change, but yet I spent this past year searching for an insurance company that would help me and NO LUCK. How are you guys getting this surgery. Through your parent's group insurance at work? My mom's group ins. doesn't cover it and they put you through hell anyways. Please help me. I NEED to have this surgery sometime this year. I'm young and outta school. I'm ready to live a healthy happy life without physical and emotional pain. I'm suffocating. Please reply. Thank you.

What kinds of jobs are you looking into getting? Anything with insurance? I was actually self pay, and my crazy mom paid for it, so that's how I got mine. When you are shopping for insurance, don't tell them that you want the bypass, just make sure that you read the surgery exclusions. Insurance companies don't LIKE to pay for these things, so they might find a way to turn you down if they know that's what you want. I'm not too much help, but that's the advice I have. Either see if you can find an insurance that you can just pay for, or find a job that will get you insurance and see if they'll cover it. Alternately, you could see if you can get a loan... Sarah

if you can try to look into united health care epo they are amazing mandy

Thank you both for the replies. I will look into United. I thought the same thing, not telling them my condition, but when filling out insurance information they may ask. I will take all into consideration for sure. Thanks.

try and look into texas rehab commision.... they might help you... but you might also have to quit your job if you have one... if you have any questions IM Me : Yahoo & Aim: xiwontbebrokenx MSN: [email protected] Meagan

Are you sure that it is not covered as an exclusion. Alot of times they'll tell you it's not generally covered b/c it needs to be medically necessary. If it is not an exclusion written in the policy, have your mom call or you call the 1-800 # and ask for benefits. Ask them if the gastric bypass is covered under the group policy and if it needs to be medically necessary. If it is covered ask what the benefit coverage is - what percentage of the bill will they pay. Usually if you see a surgeon who is on the PPO (a preferred provider) plan, they'll pay a higher amount of the costs. Look at your mom's provider booklet for surgeon's in your area and match them with surgeon's listed on this website or call them to see if they perform the gastric bypass. When you find one, go to their information meeting. Most doctors require this meeting before setting an appointment with them. If the gastric bypass is not covered under your policy, in Texas, you can contact the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. They provide medical services to those who do not qualify for medicare or medicaid. If you know the name of your mom's insurance look it up at the top menu under insurers. Post a reply with the name so that other's who have it may give you advice. Most insurance companies put the patient through hell. It's like jumping through rings of fire to get final approval. But, I think it's worth it. Good luck!

I'm extremely late on this but I work at starbucks here in nyc and I know they have a ****load of sbuks in texas it's easy to get a job there and they're always hiring and if you can put up with the coffee illuminati crap for 3 months you get healthcare aetna to be exact and co pays are extremely low I've seen a bunch of profiles on here where aetna covered peoples wls so if you're willing to put up with coffee and smelling like coffee you can get a job at starbucks and if you decide to apply email me and I will tell you everything to say on the app so you'll look like a coffee nazi to them cause thats what they are a bunch of people extremely anal about there coffee email me at [email protected]