Question:
Ins. excludes wls. Need info. on individual ins. that will cover wls.

I have BCBS of MS & it excludes wls. I've checked with the doctors in the state & they say you can forget BCBS paying. I would like to purchase individual ins. that will cover. Surely there is someone out there that's done this & could recommend an ins. company. I have had several emails from others with this same problem. You guys hang in there. Maybe we should ban together as a "company" & take out group ins. (I live in Mississippi.) That way we could go with Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, etc... HELP!!!    — Belinda W. (posted on February 28, 2002)

February 27, 2002
I have Aetna HMO, I was approved in 10 days. They are a great ins. co. I have mine through my work. The only problem is that since you are overweight it is very difficult to get an ins. plan on your own. I tried it years ago and my sister recently and of course they will cover your husband and kids but no us because of our weight. Call different insurances see if you can get a policy and check the price because even if you get it and keep it for a year it will be less than the cost of the surgery. Worth a try. Good luck
   — [Anonymous]

February 28, 2002
My insurance is BCBS of Iowa, and I was told by insurance and my doctors that it would most likely not be approved because WLS is not covered on my plan, but I wrote them a detailed list of diets that I have tried, I kept bugging them, and somehow, I was approved. I understand that it would probably be much easier for you to just to switch insurances, but if for some reason, you are not able to, this is worth a try. Don't get too discouraged!
   — [Anonymous]

February 28, 2002
I wouldn't totally give up yet. Do you have serious health problems caused by your weight. If so then it may get approved as treatment for your serious co-morbidities. I would recommend contacting Walter Lindstrom (www.obesitylaw.com) to see if he thinks that they could get you approved.
   — Dell H.