insurance after wls
Under the Affordable Care Act, pre-existing conditions do not prevent you from getting insurance coverage. WLS is not a condition per se, but a procedure, so I don't think you will have problems getting coverage at this point, it will be a matter of what level of coverage you can afford and if you qualify for subsidies.
In 2012 I went to work for a company that did not provide insurance. I had RNY in 2010, and when I applied for individual coverage I was denied. The letter I received stated that my denial was due to a pre-existing condition - Bariatric surgery. This seemed really strange to me, since I am in better health now than I have been for at least 15 - 20 years. However, with the affordable care act, you can't be denied health insurance for a pre-existing condition. Life insurance may well be another thing though. I will have more insight on this subject in a week or so - I just applied for life insurance and had to fill out a medical questionnaire. As I said, no diabetes, normal blood pressure and cholesterol, more active lifestyle, better eating habits - but still some sort of stigma attached to weight loss by surgery. I don't get it.
Linda 
on 11/1/14 10:45 pm
Linda, thanks for reply, I have applied for life insurance, too. It should be interesting to find out how it goes. The insurance company came looking for me, not me looking for them. Of course, they did not know about the wls. I am to have insurance physical Tues. I was told it would take a while to process my application. I also most hope they turn me down. But I am afraid they will approve with higher premiums. LOL I will post how it turns out. Pls let us know how your application goes.
ruby
wls 3/2005
262/128/145
hi/lo/today
Ruby
RNY 3/2005 
life insurance companies don't like to take chances they will have to pay out and someone having had Wls,while healthier in most respects,still have to possibility of having adverse reaction to the surgery itself and dying. I disagree with. This personally,but that is what life insurances look at,what is the likely hood of someone dying in. The next few immediate years from weight loss surgery not how long Wls is going to help them live.
on 11/6/14 10:22 am
I have a IRA that I will have to start drawing off next year. My banker thought buying an insurance policy would be a good place to put the money and make it grow for my children. He had the insurance agent to contact. I guess, my comment about them looking for me was not quite true. I have about decided I do not want to put my funds there anyway but will wait till I hear from the insurance company to decide.
Anyway, the nurse came to do my labs, history, etc. She ask about hospitalizations in the last five years. Since my wls was nine years ago, I did not have to mention it. But my doctor's records will be gotten. My doctor lists me as mal-absorbing. I bet his mentioning that I do not absorb everything will cause a problem. It will be interesting to see how this turns out. I am glad I do not really need this policy.
Thanks for replying. I will post how the insurance company handle this. I was told it would take six weeks to get the results from everything back. Forgot to mention, I have had no problems with the surgery and my labs are real good.
Ruby
RNY 3/2005
