Question:
Has anyone been approved regardless of age restrictions?

I am 23 and my work is switching to Great West insurance and one of their requirements is that you are 25 years old. I am trying to decide if it is worth trying to get approved. My surgeon was just about to submit my paperwork to my current insurance company Aetna when I learned about the switch as of 01/01/2003. I am upset. The only reason I signed up for insurance at work was to try to get approved for WLS. I already have health insurance through my father that has an exclusion policy. Any advice?    — Cami K. (posted on December 2, 2002)

December 1, 2002
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!! I have Great-West and I am currently 3 months post-op. I have a friend (whom I met thru this site) that Also has Great-West and her initial denial was due to her age, that is currently 6 months post-op. Look up her profile, Heather Russinko. She gives info on what she did to beat her denial. My 1st denial was also due to age but was listed as "not medically necessary". Great-West is hard to deal with and they will fight you but, definetly, FIGHT BACK!! If you can, I'd recommend involving your company. They can have alot of pull with your insurance. Also, Great-West will require a psych eval and an endocrine study (massive blood work). Get them ready to go so that when they ask for them...your ready! Please, Do NOT give up!! Feel free to email me if you need some extra help...I'd be glad to give it! [email protected]. Good luck and don't worry, from what I hear, Great-West almost always denies initially but will approve the 2nd time around if your prepared. Good luck and it'll happen for you too! HUGS! christie
   — Christie N.

December 1, 2002
Duh, forgot to mention that I'm 22 and Heather is 23 as well. So, good luck again!
   — Christie N.

December 2, 2002
I don't have that insurance, but I'd agree with the other poster - FIGHT IT!!! I'm 22 and I can't honestly see any reason for that restriction. People our age aren't children anymore.
   — Toni C.

December 2, 2002
Sounds like they seriously need to be sued for age discrimination! I can see them saying no-one under 18 and possibly under 21...but 21 is an adult. It's not like car insurance where they are deteriming how good of a driver your going to be with your pouch based on long-term statistics. I wouldn't let them get away with that though!
   — [Deactivated Member]