Question:
No coverage for wls at work can I get Insurance on my own to cover surgery?

I've heard that some people change their insurance company so that they may have wls. I called an ins. broker and they told me taht No insurance would cover my surgery and that it would probably be almost impossible for me to get any kind of coverage with my obesity. Does anybody know how to do this and if so, which insurance company did you change to? P.S. I am quiting my job because employer said new ins. policy starting 10/03 will not have any improvements! NEED HELP FAST! PLEASE!    — Loretta W. (posted on September 23, 2003)

September 23, 2003
From what I hear, it is very hard to get an individual policy to cover WLS due to the fact of obesity and no one wanting to write a policy. Don't ever give up hope! I too am in the same situation you are only, I have been denied 3 times from different insurances, one being an individually policy I had a couple of years ago. I would suggest either finding another job with better insurance or quit your job and get into a risk pool, they will cover almost anyone (again what I have heard) however, these policies are costly and you can only get them if you have been denied individual coverage and can't cobra out from your employer. Best of luck to you!
   — Cameron S.

September 23, 2003
Loretta, Try this site, if I am not mistaken someone had insurance through this company and had WLS. http://www.mamsi.com/index.jsp
   — Cameron S.

September 24, 2003
My sister is self employed and obtained a BCBS individual policy that COVERS weight loss surgery. She did not lie on her application and it only excluded coverages for obesity, not morbid obesity. Thus her surgery is December 3 of this year. Hope this helps! Oh and we live in Maryland.
   — SMG I.

September 24, 2003
Don't quit your job. You don't quit a job that gives you benifits just because it doesn't cover one thing. Look around for a new job if you want but don't make a gut reaction descion. You can fight the insurance company on this. The one lady in group works for the hospital and it wasn't covered. She spent time fighting it and basically said if she had a heart condition etc you'd cover it. Also if Medicaid/medicare covers it you can use that as an arguement since they set they standard in many cases. Try to get it covered first than do what you need to do.
   — Rebecca K.

September 24, 2003
You may want to find out what the insurance will cover if you have the surgery anyway. My insurance doesn't cover a tummy tuck but it covers the hospital stay and such. I can do the Dr's bill which they don't cover. Get everything in writing and see. It is VERY disapointing and it bits but stick with it. You may look into a part time job that would offer benifits if you can. Their insurance may offer what you are looking for. When you go to a store or something ask the people working there "do you have benifits" What are they etc.
   — Rebecca K.

September 24, 2003

   — amandalianne