Help! My insurance doesn't cover the lapband. Is there any insurance that does?

Hello to all.

     My name is Bridgette and I am a 25 year old teacher. I'm 5'1 and 207 pounds. I am looking into having the lapband procedure, but my insurance does not cover it. So, now I am thinking about purchasing additional personal insurance and am looking for direction on which insurance companies could help me. Any suggestions would be most appreciated.

Have a great day!

Bridgette

Welcome Bridgette!!  And congrats on doing something for you and your health. I am not sure what insurance companies do, however there is an insurance message board here.  They may be able to help.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/insurance/a,messageboard/b oard_id,5363/

Goodluck and don't be a stranger around here!!

Are teachers state employees?  Because state employees do have coverage for bariatric surgery if the BMI is high enough with co-morbidities...

Teachers are local govermental employees, I believe. But their insurance company still has to purchase the rider to coverage WLS and if they don't then it isn't covered. Which sucks. I think it should be covered, of course, especially if it is medically neccessary.

Theresa hit my problem on the head. I'm a teacher, too. I may be talking about my butt here - I often do - but I think it's not so much which company you go with, but which plan you purchase. When I first called my insurance company (Southern Health) to look into this, they were like, "Sure, we cover that." Then they found out I worked for Henrico County and were like, "Um, never mind. Sorry. Your employer hasn't selected that rider" So I ended up having to go self-pay. Good luck and don't be a stranger!