Question:
I have been denied by my insurance due to a 5 year policy. Anyone familiar with it?

My insurance company states that I have not been morbidly obese for at least 5 years.    — Diana P. (posted on February 13, 2003)

February 13, 2003
Yes, because I have the same insurance company (Aetna-USHealthcare). However, I have been morbidly obese for at least the last 10 years so I didn't have your problem. It does seem a bit unfair asking a patient to maintain the 40 BMI with no co-morbidities or 35 BMI with co-morbidities for 5 years before they will be considered for gastric bypass surgery by AetnaUSHC. <p> Good luck in trying to beat it...JR (open RNY 07/17 -152 pounds)
   — John Rushton

February 13, 2003
No matter what insurance carrier someone has there are rules. I don't agree with a lot of them either. However, it should all be in writing. Yes, 5 years seems a bit long to make someone go around being obese but in the ins. co's defense...think of people who will eat themselves silly just to get up to 40 BMI so that they don't even have to try to diet on their own. Would it happen often, maybe not. But...it does happen. This surgery isn't cheap by any means and it isn't a cure-all. I AM in favor of the surgery. I think it is a Godsend (I am pre-op). I don't want anyone thinking I'm on the side of the ins. co, but I do understand many of the requirements they set. How long have you been overweight? And by how much? I know someone who wants to have this done and only needs to lose 40-50 lbs. Unfortunately, there are many people who do go through with surgery only to regret it for the rest of their life. I can only hope & pray that doesn't happen to me. Good luck
   — Diane S.