Question:
Attention Louisiana residents! JOBS WITH INSURANCE?

Where do you people work to have gastric bypass surgery covered? After going thru 5 denials I have decided to seek different employment as self pay is not an option for me. Please help.    — Mary S. (posted on January 17, 2004)

January 16, 2004
I am not in your state but this may be worth checking into for you. I work with the school system and have CHA insurance. It paid almost all of my surgery. I wish you the very best of luck because this surgery is definitely worth all the effort you have to put into it to get it done..Sharon..Open RNY 9/12/02 now at goal!!
   — Sharon1964

January 17, 2004
Mary, Have you considered out of country self-pay? It's WAY more affordable than self-paying in the US. I went to Spain for my surgery - and travel, surgery, everything, came to $15,800. Plus, I got one of the best bariatric surgeons in the world. If you want to know more about my surgery or my experience, check out these links: www.bodybybaltasar.com (my photos are in the photo gallery) http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Dina/dina.html (this is my story, has photos, too) We have several from Louisiana, and quite a few from Mississippi who have gone to Dr. B. Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

January 17, 2004
We are not in Louisiana but I'm sure the place my husband works are all over LA. He works for Blockbuster as a Manager. Not the most glamorous of jobs but they treat him great and he makes decent money. They have United Healthcare and are paying 90% after my $200 deductible. If you have any other questions feel free to write me. Linda
   — Linda C.

January 18, 2004
Hi, I live in Reeves, La. My husband works for The Coushatta Tribal Casino in Kinder. He put me on insurance november 1st and before the end of november I was approved for surgery. My surgery was the 5th of December. My Dr. was Kevin Chung in Lake Charles and my surgery was at ST Pat's both were unbelievable. It was a great experience, and Dr. CHung has great after care. Hope this helps. If you have any questions email me. Victoria
   — victoria W.

January 18, 2004
CenturyTel offers United HealthCare, which paid for my Band and my friend's RNY, no questions. Good luck!
   — Jeanie

January 20, 2004
It's always an exclusion with BXBS of LA unless you work for the Caddo Parish School System. If you are 100 pounds or more over your ideal body weight then BXBS Federal employees are covered. In our area, General Motors employees with United Healthcare are covered. Oshners, I'm finding will make you jump through a few hoops before approval such as a 3 month medically supervised diet among other things. (I think this is a fairly recent change in their criteria) Cigna is a 6 month medically supervised diet among other hoops, such as certain co-morbids you must have. Some insurances are getting much tougher on approving any type of surgical procedure for morbid obesity. Just a note, if you have been diagnosed and treated for Gerds by a physician, you could look into the procedure to correct that medical problem. Gastric Bypass is an excellent treatment for Gerd. Good luck!
   — issymudd