Question:
once you've been aproved for surgery and you then get fired fired from

yor job two months before surgery can you still have the surgery and be covered?    — [Anonymous] (posted on June 26, 2001)

June 26, 2001
Yes. Just be sure to continue your insurance through Cobra. It is the same insurance with all the same benefits, it's just that you pay the premium.
   — Gina E.

June 26, 2001
I will have my surgery while on COBRA. It can take 30-60 days after the COBRA administration receives your application for your policy to be reactivated. I don't know why that is, but my suggestion would be to send your payment if you can, along with your application ASAP. I did and it's been a month now and my policy still hasn't been updated, but I've been told by the ins co that it should be by the end of this week. If you don't send the payment then you may have to wait for 2 months to have your policy updated. Hope this helps.
   — dandjon

June 26, 2001
I quit my job two and a half months before surgery I paid my insurance through cobra everything went fine.
   — Sandra R.

June 27, 2001
Hi, there should be no lapse in coverage if you talk to your employer before your last day of work. In fact I think it's the law (here in California anyway) that your employer MUST offer you COBRA continuance of coverage. You will of course be paying your own premiums monthly. I was on 18 months of COBRA and now am self-pay with Kaiser. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 27, 2001
I would check for cobra as well.. just keep in mind it tends to be pretty expensive.
   — Dawn R.

June 27, 2001
Boy people can be mean and sarcastic on here can't they? I think if you are going to say derogatory things, you should at least be big enough to put your name. Anyway, yes Cobra will handle it the same although expensive. Another option is to find another job with insurance that covers WLS. If you were at your previous job for at least a year and had coverage, they can't turn you down in the new one for preexisting as long as you obtain the new coverage within 61 days of leaving the old one. Just a thought. You might qualify for state coverage, yes, but that might take a very long time to obtain. Good luck.
   — Barbara H.

June 28, 2001
Dear Anonymous - This is a SUPPORT GROUP website. Why would you log on and say something to intentionally try and hurt someone's feelings. Beside the fact that you have NO real information on her circumstances! You people that say mean things, then post anonymously are just being cowardly. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But if it is so negative, keep it to yourself. We are all here to gain support from each other. Ask questions, get advice. That kind of a response just makes someone leary about asking questions in the future. In response to the real issue, yes I would definitely check out the COBRA coverage. It is expensive, but no where near as expensive as paying for this surgery. If for some reason, that doesn't work out. Research this site for WLS friendly insurance companies in your area and try to find a job where they match. Good luck to you - and ignore rude comments like below. The rest of us are here to help and support each other.
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 11, 2001
I went through something like this. I had been approved for the surgery and then the company I worked for started to lay people off. I eventually got laid off. I decided to COBRA my insurance. I paid about $270 a month to maintain my insurance. It depends on how long you are willing to pay for your insurance out of your pocket, or if you wish to try your luck and try to gain approval with another insurance company. Good luck. Bye the way, I did COBRA my insurance and had the surgury 1 month after I was laid off. My surgeon's office was great about getting me in as soon as possible.
   — Carla C.

April 29, 2002
Hi, I am going though the exact same thing you are, I had been waiting for all the paperwork to go through the ins co for approval, and they fired me on 03/23, i got approved 03/26 for a lap rny or band, I decided to cobra the surgery, my benefits expired on 04/01, I have 60 days to call and start cobra coverage and 45 days after that to make my first payment, I had Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Ca PPO they told me that they take too long to process payments sometimes, so after the first 60 days when I start coverage, I should make my first payment right away, and not wait 45 extra days, I think you should do the same I'll be paying $289/month, for 3 months (april-june) since my surgery is in may 28th and I am being released on june 4th, then like me,As soon as you get a job, use your new plan for coverage on any follow up. Well I hope this helps, check with your insurance company, and if you have the choice to use COBRA, do it! at least until you are released from the hospital. Good Luck, Gilbert Miro ([email protected]
   — gjmiro

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