Question:
GETTING APPROVAL FROM A NEW INSURANCE POLICY

I HAVE A NEW INSURANCE POLICY. THIS COMPANY DO NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION LIKE BILLS ON ME. IT WENT INTO EFFECT ON 11/26/99. I HAD US HEALTHCARE HMO AND NOW I HAVE HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHEILD OF NJ PPO. IF ANYONE OUT THERE EVER WENT THREW THIS I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU. SHOULD I SUBMIT ANYTHING WITH THIS CLAIM TO HELP TO GET APPROVAL. I WAS TURNED DOWN BY MY OLD INSURANCE. SHOULD I GO FOR THIS OR SHOULD I WAIT. MY BMI IS 62.9. NEED HELP!    — Valerie C. (posted on November 29, 1999)

November 29, 1999
Hi Valerie, Waiting will not change anything. I changed insurances on 10/01 and was at my surgeon's office on 10/11. I was approved on 11/19. The only thing that should matter is if there is a preexisting illness clause or an exclusion. If you qualify under their criteria it shouldn't matter when you start the process.
   — BOB J.

November 29, 1999
I have changed insurance companies more times than I can recall, due to my husband's unfortunate habit of job-hopping. There is a federal law called HIPAA which governs situations like this where you switch from one insurance policy to another. In most cases, the law prevents the new insurance company from excluding "pre-existing" conditions even though you are a new policy holder with them. You may be asked for proof of your previous health insurance coverage. I had a new insurance company during my application for WLS, and applied to them as soon as my policy was effective. Here I am now, two months post-op. So, it can be done! Check out this link for more information about HIPAA http://www.dol.gov/dol/pwba/public/pubs/q&aguide.htm
   — Lynn K.