what options?

Ok heres the deal.... My ins company excludes and weight reduction programs/surgeries/ pills ... I want to know if there are any options besides self pay i can try.... ANY input is helpful/appreciated... Meagan 20 yrs old 305.2lbs 5 ft 7.5in

Do they completely exclude or is it based on medical necessity? Are their individual insurance plans available in your state? If your companys open enrollment is up soon, maybe approach HR about adding the benefit to the plan, or seeing if they can offer another insurance. Its worth a shot. Thats about all I could come up with.

Heres what the web site on my benefits say : "Weight reduction programs, food supplements, services, supplies, surgeries including but not limited to Gastric Bypass, gastric stapling, Vertical Banding, or gym memberships, even if the participant has medical conditions that might be helped by weight loss; or even prescribed by a physician are not covered" Im insured through my dad but my employer has the same exclusions since its the same INS company under my ins. "Weight reduction programs, food supplements, services, supplies, surgeries including but not limited to Gastric Bypass, gastric stapling, Vertical Banding, or gym memberships, even if the participant has medical conditions that might be helped by weight loss; or even prescribed by a physician are not covered." And fighting with them could get me fired so i cant risk it... Meagan

I don't know if this is specific to where you are... but some folks around here have gotten "ocupational rehabilitation" to pay for part or all of it. I don't know much about it, I've just heard about it here in NC. You may want to check out your state and see if they have any programs or grants to help pay for it. Good Luck.

we have it here but when i checked into it you had to be jobless and living along.... because if you live at home they count your parents income as yours... the "household" income... which right there would disqualify me... it seems as if every where i turn its a dead end..

I am not sure if this would be a possibility, but most surgeons I have spoken with have a payment plan, where you may so much up front, or so much a month. I am not sure of your financial situation, but maybe explaining it to a doc who says you NEED the surgery could or would work something out for you?! I may have to be a self pay too, and I have 2, count them, 2 insurance companies! Good Luck and keep us updated! Karly

In my opinion most insurance companies are a rip off... so are hospitals *i work in one of the US top 100 hospitals* the surgery probably costs about 5,000 to do but then you have the salary of the surgeon plus all the wages for the surgical team... they use the same equipment time after timee and just autoclave it... as for my financial situation... i work only 3 days a week so i can go to school... so a month i bring home MAYBE 600-800.00.. then i have a 220 loan payment, cell, car ins, gas, and then MAYBE i get to go to a movie or something... okay now that that turned into a rant i'm off to bed! Meagan

Wow sorry to hear that your having such a hard time. Have you looked into getting a medical loan?

have you tried appealing it? I mean you can fight this! Most insurances will say no but if you keep sending them letters it wont hurt...its better than sitting there and taking no for an answer! If you find a good doctor they will help you fight this as well!!! I had to wait six months and change insurances to finaly get this surgery! So its a fight...just remember you didnt gain all this weight over night so the battle to lose it wont be over night either! GOOD LUCK!!!