denied for medical insurance coverage post VSG

So.... I've been kind of bummed out since I got the insurance denial of coverage letter for medical insurance coverage after I retired at age 61,  the reason stated was a pre existing Sleeve Gastrectomy.  Never mind that this sleeve gastrectomy has restored good health such that I probably don't even need medical insurance coverage.  I was only requesting a Major Medical policy to cover me in case of any accident or catastrophic event.  All I know to do now is to file a grievance so that at some point down the line, it might do some good for someone in the future. I doubt that they will change their policy for me. 

I have stated to them that I have a 3 year old sleeve that has corrected multiple medical issues, and has caused no medical problems for me whatsoever.  I knew when I did this surgery that it had the potential for this sort of thing to happen, but progress has been made in this area, and I had hoped that they would not still be lumping this surgery into the same category as the malabsorptive surgeries, or the lap bands, both of which have a much higher incidence of post op complications. 

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.   The pre existing medical condition insurance coverage offered by the government is too expensive for me to afford on my now fixed income.  It is over 400 dollars per month for me alone, and I don't have it. 

Don't feel that I CAN  go back to work, as my anxiety level has been so high after my husband's death, that I cannot cope with working any longer. 

I don't have any words of wisdom to offer, just wanted to commiserate. I changed jobs last year and attempted to get some catastrophic coverage while I waited for my new insurance coverage to take over and I was denied due to my sleeve. I wonder if I would have been denied for being morbidly obese without it?

Anyway, here's hoping someone will chime in with some helpful advice.

Best,

Lindsey

I am so sorry for you. You just about don't need this. There are some policies out there that are available without exclusions if you can get into a group, for example joining Farm Bureau. I wish you luck.

Our son (37) was denied insurance because he is under weight! He is 6ft 2". and 145 he thought pounds. The heaviest he has ever been was 164. You can't win with these companies.

The policy that denied me was through the farm bureau group.  I have had home and auto insurance through them for 40 years, so automatically assumed that I would get my health insurance coverage through them as well.  Strange thing how it works out sometimes.

I think it might depend on what state you are in but I have never been denied medical insurance since I had my sleeve including one private policy I applied for. In the case of the private policy, they didn't even care about any surgery that happened more than two years ago so I didn't even have to mention it!

different states are different. you might try contacting your state insurance board to see if there are appeal options.  or you might also see if they would write coverage excluding anything related to the sleeve. get an independent insurance agent to shop around for you.

i am sure this comes from the old days when ds or gastric by pass patients could have issues years down the line - usually related to not taking supplements or otherwise not following instructions. 

if you have a serious anxiety disorder that prevents you from working you could apply for disability and get medicare.

wishing you the best.  diane

Regarding applying for disability social security, if you can manage to get approved, if you are under the age qualifying for medicare, there is a two year wait to get the coverage.  I have a friend who has been trying to get disability for the last 5 years and has been unsuccessful. 

Thanks everybody for the helpful suggestions.   I have written a grievance letter for appealing the decision, but I am also shopping for additional policies that may be out there.  I enjoy such good health now after my sleeve, that although I don't think that I need insurance, I also don't think it is wise to go without a hospitalization policy at the very least.