Question:
Are my health problems and bmi bad enough to convince the ins. co.?

Hi everyone! Thanks for helping with my questions. I have Cigna PPO and I'm wondering if my health problems are enough to qualify for the surgery. My bmi is very low 40's and I have minimal health problems right now. (Infertility, shortness of breath, leg swelling, back/knee pain, high cholesterol.) Since I'm fairly young though, 27, my family history indicates I'll be having trouble later. (Diabetes, stroke, heart attack, etc). Will what I have now be likely to convince my ins co to cover the surgery?    — Kimberly S. (posted on November 30, 2002)

November 30, 2002
A BMI in the low 40's with those co-morbidities and that family history (make sure that the family history of diabetes, stroke and heart attacks gets mentioned by the surgeon in his letter to the insurance company) should get you approved by most insurance companies that currently cover WLS...JR
   — John Rushton

November 30, 2002
Hi Kimberly, Anything over 40 will most likely qualify but if you have significant co-mords and a significant family history, it will most likely cement it. Make sure you list everything because I was surprised by what they honed in on and what they didnt.
   — susanje

December 1, 2002
Kimberly - go for it. The whole reason to have this surgery is to not have all those illnesses later in life. If your insurance understands that (and you may have to point it out to them) they'll approve your surgery. Good luck!
   — Arlene S.