Question:
Insurance 4 3/4 years post op !

I recently left my employment ( the one I had group insurance with at the time of my RNY ); I am now self employed and CAN'T get insurance because of the RNY in 2001 !! I am healthier now by a long ways compared to before surgery ! I do not have any medical problems and my last complete physical last April I even had a heart Dr. tell me my heart was better than most 20 year olds !! I need reasonable insurance fast , just in case of some medical things ! Oh, yes , I can get insurance for about $ 450.00 to $600. 00 per month ! Like a common person has that kind of $$$ ! Connie    — kountry (posted on October 26, 2005)

October 26, 2005
Connie, I have been an insurance agent for 12 years. I can tell you for a fact that you will not be able to get individual health insurance after WLS it is a permanant rejection. Your only 3 options are your state's high risk pool, Cobra from your last employer (18 months worth anyway), or to employ at least one other person in your business and get small group health insurance. With Small group they can still rate up your premiums up to 68 1/2% (or so depending on your state) but they have to offer you coverage. There are a lot of great small business plans that are still very cost effective even with the rate increase and they usually don't max rate just for WLS if there are now other complications as you have idicated. Hope that helps. If you have more questions you are welcome to email me directly at [email protected] and I will see if I can answer them. --------------
   — wealthgvr

October 26, 2005
I see you are in IA. In WA state, they can't turn you down flat, but can apply pre-existing conditions IF you don't have portability (coming over from another ins within 90 days). I have a small biz and my premiums are right in there with what you'd pay for priavte. And my ins will cover nothing to do with my WLS. Direct exclusion. It's the only one I can get until I have 51+ employees, which is the same as never. Are you able to hang onto your cobra for awhile?
   — vitalady

October 26, 2005
I dont know what state you live in, but have you tried Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield? There rates are a little lower than that, but the catch to them is that there is a one year waiting period.
   — kizie23

October 27, 2005
Connie, I just went through the same thing because my hubby's employer just jacked up our rates. (1100.00 for just he and I) The only people that would consider me was Humana, but I had to be 5 years out from any form of complication. (4 wasn't good enough) And even then, anything that had to do with my digestive system would be excluded for life. Some states do have a state pool that will insure the 'uninsureable', unfortunately Florida isn't one of them. We kept the outrageously priced, crappy coverage that my hubby's employer offered. :( If your state lacks this type of pool, your best bet is to take advantage of COBRA.
   — RebeccaP

October 29, 2005
When you have your own business and do not have a large number of employees (or maybe just yourself), you pay more for insurance. My husband had his own business, and they really kill small business owners.
   — Novashannon

October 29, 2005
Try calling your local chamber of commerce. They get GROUP RATES, and often group rules for self employeed folks:) I had to join the chamber but it was cheap, saved tons on insurance too before I was married. well worth looking into!
   — bob-haller