Question:
Are there any options for those of us who don't have insurance
and do not have the money to pay for it out of pocket? My BMI is 65. I'm 5'4" and I'm about 380 lbs. Isn't there anyway for a person in my state of obesity to get help financially? There should be grants available to those in desperate need. I'm only 28. I don't want to die of a heart attack before my daughter is grown. Any suggestions? Any wealthy people out there willing to save my life and more importantly my Quality of life? I need suggestions. I know this sounds stupid and desperate. But at almost 400 lbs. sounding desperate is the least of my problems. — Dawn P. (posted on August 2, 2001)
August 2, 2001
Dear Dawn, I certainly understand how you feel. I put my surgery off for a
while due to not having the money. My insurance would not cover anything. I
self-payed. My surgeon is the best and he went to a bariatric conference in
June and found a very workable patient financing company that set me up
with an unsecured loan. I am now 3 weeks post-op and doing great. My
monthly payments are not that bad. If you email me, I will send you some
info on the financing company. Perhaps your surgeon would be willing to
check into it. Hope it can be of some help. Do not give up hope! Best of
luck to you.
— lovebug2
August 2, 2001
If Bethann's advice doesn't work, and I hope it does work, then you might
think of the following: Do you own a home? Or does someone who loves you
very much own a home? If so, how about borrowing against the equity in the
home? Some people own homes which are, for example, worth $150,000 but
only owe $100,000. That gives $50,000 worth of equity in the home and the
banks will loan you this money and use the house as collateral. Ask your
bank about a home equity loan. Maybe your parents would take out a home
equity loan against their mortgage to help you -- and you could repay --
the payments can be made very affordable. Or, you know those Spaghetti
Dinner fund raisers and car washes that are set up to help people whose
medical bills are skyhigh due to some terrible illness? You go through the
State government (I forget which section) and get permission to do one of
those. Actually someone besides yourself needs to sponsor you. Remember,
this is a life and death situation and if someone wanted to, they could
have fundraisers for you to get the surgery. Or, do you own a second or
third car? or a boat? Or other things which aren't necessary to live but
are more luxury items than anything else? SELL THEM TO RAISE MONEY! Put
on your thinking cap .... who do you know, who knows you and cares about
you, that might have something they would donate to the cause? It will
likely take lots of work on your part to educate people enough about the
surgery and its benefits to you and your family to get them motivated to
help, but it is worth it! Is there a local organization who might be
convinced to take you on as a special project? Maybe they could have a
huge rummage sale or auction to help you raise funds -- and they could
direct them specifically to paying your hospital bill without wondering if
they money will be spent as intended. You know, we live in a skeptical
world, we just have to learn how to work with that skepticism and alleviate
people's fears and concerns before they lead to inactivity and
noncommitment to your cause. Is this enough to get you started? Don't
just throw up your hands and expect someone to throw the money into your
lap cause it likely will not happen, as there are too many who want that
money too. WORK for it. Scrimp at home, save, save, save! Find a way,
just get it done! Best wishes to you!
— Cindy H.
August 2, 2001
I would go ahead and try to find a surgeon, and call thier office and tell
them you are self pay. See if they have some sort of payment plan or how
their other self pay patients pay for the surgery. I am uninsured as well,
and when I called the surgeon I chose, who is very well respected his
office told me the total cost was $17,500 plus $200 for the initial visit.
I was expecting the surgery to be $20,000 plus, so I was happy to find out
that it would be less. Whatever you do, I would not choose a surgeon
based on soley on price.
— [Anonymous]
August 2, 2001
Check with your state rehablitation center. They have money that can be
used for weight loss surgery. I know they do in AR, but check it out. It
couldnt' hurt. Self pay wasn't an option for me so see what you can come
up with there.
Good Luck
— Donna J.
August 2, 2001
Without sounding really rude, how about getting a job?
even if it's a job at Target, Walmart, Burger King etc.
most jobs, after 30 days you are covered by insurance.
My insurance would'nt pay so I got a new job. Aetna HMO
they pay for this and I only paid $240.
— [Anonymous]
August 2, 2001
I recently had the surgery done and my insurance would not cover the
procedure. I was not willing to quit my job because I have a really good
job, just bad insurance. I went through the Texas Rehabilitation Commission
and they paid all, but $200. I had to prove to them that my weight effected
my job and the ability to perform my job to the fullest. I had to sign an
agreement to continue to work for 2 years following the surgery. If you do
not have a job then you have to prove why your weight hinders you from
being able to work. This can be a long process, but worth the wait to loose
the weight! It took me a little over a year to be approved.
— [Anonymous]
October 9, 2001
without sounding really rude;;;;;;;;;SOME PPL ARE DISABLED AND CAN NOT
"GET A JOB" IT IS NOT THAT THEY DO NOT WISH TO. And as for any
job, many jobs do not have insurance unless you are full time and that they
make sure does not happen! walmarts insurance will not pay for wls.
I for one am disabled and on ssi and can't get a job, I also have 4
children that I do not wish to leave in daycare.
some ppl really should be more careful how they post as it really hurts and
sounds as if they meant to offend.
And if they didn't then why post anonymously!
— randysrose
October 11, 2001
I would like express my sympathies to the person who posted this question,
first for having problems with the financial aspects, and second for having
to endure the rude comments posted by others on this site. I come here to
get answers in a non-judgemental fashion on issues I don't completely
comprehend, and have lately been getting the same rude
"anonymous" answers. I HAVE a job, make a very good living, and
have insurance that will NOT cover this procedure. I also support 2
children, a mortgage, car payment, etc. It's not that easy to shell out
$20-$40K for ANYTHING. Keep your chin up, sweetie... I've got faith that
we will BOTH figure this out! :)
— Michelle B.
November 14, 2001
I can understand what you are going thru. I am too financially unable to do
this. I do work, but i dont make a fortune at it plus my place of
employment doesnt offer insurance unless you are management. I do believe
it was extremely rude that people are out there telling you to get a job.
In todays society jobs arent easy to come by when you are overweight. Yes,
Walmart or Target or fast food joints dont always pass judgement on you do
to your size but you cant always get hired on at those places. Heck, in the
state i live in, when your fat you keep the job you get regardless if it
sucks because people are so prejudice against people with weight.
— [Anonymous]
April 8, 2002
I too am in the same situation and can greatly sympathize. I worked at a
job where insurance did not cover WLS so I switched jobs. Today was my
first day. I was so excited to open up my insurance papers (bc/bs) only to
discover that there was an exclusion. The tears have never burned so much.
Just remember, anything worth having is worth fighting for. Don't give up
and we'll all get thru this together.
— Bambi S.
July 8, 2002
dear Dawn,
I just got my apporval and althouhg my insurance is paying for it i
understand your frustration. have you tried medicade, i know it's probably
not what you want to do but if you life depends on it do it. If you need
help filling out the forms email me at [email protected] i can help with
those. To the person that said "try getting a job" maybe you
should try getting a life.
Scott D. Malone
— scott M.
July 8, 2002
Hi there ... I completely understand your situation as I am just like you
except I am 38 ... I work, but my insurance does not pay for WLS ... at my
weight, many businesses are unwilling to hire me ... being single and
working disqualifies me for Medicaid ... I am looking at getting a second
job to try and get the money to be selfpay ... My credit is worse than
horrible ... and I do not own a home or even a vehicle ... but I am not
going to give up hope ... somehow I will be able to do this ... somehow ...
someway ...
— canner
August 15, 2002
ATTENTION MEDICAID PEOPLE: In the state of coloradothere is only 1 doctor
who would accept medicaid for bariatric surgery, and now he has changed his
mind as medicaid has not paid him. They paid the hospital and the
anesthesiologist but not him. Their reasoning? It is elective surgery,
much like a face lift or a tummy tuck. I have been in insurance hell for
18 months now and have decided to self pay. I am currently saving up and
will probably be dead of complications from my obesity before I get the
money together. I am 50 years old, and disabled so I am up the proverbial
creek. Any suggestions?
— jazzyjan
November 30, 2002
I think I can help!!! Go to WWW.MILLERGOODMANFOUNDATION.ORG The
foundation provides finacnial assistance for bariatric surgery!!!! GOOD
LUCK!!!
— Bradybug
January 31, 2003
I last posted a comment on 11/30 however I posted the wrong address by
mistake: the correct address that was given to me was
http://millergoodmanfoundation.org. However, I met a few of you that got
through right away. Now, when you type in that address, it sends to you a
Bariatric Support Center. THIS IS NOT THE SITE I GOT WHEN I FIRST WENT
THERE! Initially, it was a simple page with a phone number to call and
apply. When we called they said they were just getting started and would
call us back. Now everyone is directed to this other site. I am trying to
find the phone number and as soon as I can I will post it here. I beleive
the Foundation got so overwhelmed with response that they had to choice but
to forward that site. I'll get back to you as soon as possible.
— Bradybug
July 14, 2003
CARE ENTREE...contact me for more info. Calie Foreman
— Calie F.
October 13, 2004
Hi I was having trouble getting the money to pay for my plastic surgery and
was searching and searching and wasting money on programs when I came
across the one I used. I had the money to pay for my surgery within 30
days and all it cost me was 11.50 to get started. Heres the address.
http://www.business.visitorbuilder.com/?refer=12546890R6733952S
— [Deactivated Member]
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