looking for new health insurance and keep getting denied

After my husband retired I was forced to get new health insurance last year and got denied from every company and had to go with HIRSP,( high risk ) because of WLS. My premiums are and deductables are very high.  The other comapanys all said I had to be 5 years out of surgery because I may develop complications. Anyone know of any companys that are insuring WLS patients before the 5 years. Im having a hard time paying my premiums and I havent met my deductable so everything comes out of pocket. Thanks Debra

Unfortunately I've heard this before. I live in an area with a lot of insurance companies so I know a few workers (including my daughter & daughter-in-law). They tell me that it is common practice to deny WLS and post-WLS patients in small groups (under 100 members). Your best bet is join a large group. That may mean you have to go back to work (our Walmart, for example, has insurance coverage -- not all do) or join a group like the chamber of commerce or elks club, AARP or something of that nature. Some of them include you in their group insurance if you are a member. If you or your husband is a veteran, you can also apply for veteran's insurance. The waiting list is long but it can be done. You may also want to ask an insurance company worker, if you know any, sometimes they can tell you ways you can get coverage but they may not tell unless they're asked directly.

Thank you Judy for your reply, we dont live far from each other. My husband is a vetern and is covered 100% and goes to the VA clinic in Appleton for free.  We checked into that but they do not cover spouses. And yes I have thought about going back to work, only thing is what happens if something happens with the job then Im out searching for insurance and even HIRSP has a 6 month waiting for pre excisting conditions which I just went through. I just find it hard to believe the companys wont cover, Im alot healthier now at 150 pounds then before surgery at 254 pounds. But they dont look at it that way. Before my husband retired we had United Health group insurance and they paid for the entire surgery except my $500 deductable, no questions asked. To keep the insurance after he retired would have cost us $1200 a year. Well I guess I will keep searching, I have a call into Blue cross right now, they use to insure you after 2 years but they changed it to 5 years. Thanks Debra

Debra, have you tried an Insurance Broker?  They're usually pretty good at finding plans that suit your needs.  I used one when my son got too old to be on my plan, after getting extremely frustrated trying to do it on my own. Michele

Hi Debra - have you checked in at the insurance forum? I would bet there are a lot of folks there who may be in the same situation. There is also a good website that has some useful information about obesity law and insurance information: http://www.obesitylaw.com/ Hope this helps! -K.