Question:
Has anyone ever helped pay for someone else's surgery?
You see, I am 25 yrs old, and I know that there is NO WAY I will be able to afford this surgery. My insurance will not cover it even if it's medically necessary. It's considered an EXCLUSION. I already went to a financial counsler and I just have to much debt from previous medical bills and other bills. I know everyone has there own problems, I just need a break one time in my life! I know I need this surgery for health reasons now and in my future! Please, I hope someone can understand and can give me some good ideas!! God Bless! — ThankYouGod (posted on June 20, 2004)
June 19, 2004
AMOS MOD HERE! The site specifically prohibits fund raising here. If it was
allowed ONCE its all the site would become. Worse yet thieves would try to
take advantage and steal from our menmbers by making things up. <P>
Given all that what insurance do you have? A member here might have found a
execption to your exclusion. <P> Another possiblity is getting a new
job that has better insurance, or a part time job at home depot or other
place that includes WLS. Hopefully someone here can come up with a creative
idea:) WLS is saving so many lives, but insurance in a attempt to save a
buck is getting harder and harder to approve. Its past time some national
legislation requires coverage for MOs. I believe they did this years ago
requiring insurance coverage for mental troubles including depression.
— bob-haller
June 20, 2004
1. I cannot believe that a question asking for a handout was approved to go
on the Q&A. 2. I don't know what your life has been up to this point
and I'm certainly not up for getting into a "Who's Got It Worse"
contest with you. I'll assume you've had the worst life ever up to this
point. But how can you, in good conscience, come onto a website and beg for
money to have this surgery? You want a break? Make a break. Bob had some
great ideas-get another job, switch insurances, hire a lawyer to appeal,
get a part-time job at a company whose insurance is known for approving
WLS. Be proactive. Simply holding your hand out will not get you where you
need to be. The easy way out is hardly ever the fun way, but thousands of
people on here have done it. With that said, I *do* wish you luck and I
hope you are able to have this life-saving surgery.
— jenn_jenn
June 20, 2004
I can't help with fundraising, but I can suggest that you look into the
nonadjustable band surgery which costs $8-10,000 rather than the more
intesive surgeries which cost $40,000+. This might help somewhat. I know
that my doctor, also, allowed me to pay out his fees. If you want to know
more about it, email me.
— Paula R.
June 20, 2004
AMOS MOD NOTE. I attempted to edit the title of the post, and did indeed
edit the body of the post to remove a part of the send money plea. But the
title edit didnt stick. After seeing it approved I thought I would let it
stand as is with a explnation of why we cant let this become a fundraising
site. Members need to know were not being bad people. I just cant be that
way. I WISH EVERYONE had the money to get WLS, but this isnt the place to
raise it. Sorry.
— bob-haller
June 20, 2004
Oh...I was wondering how this got past the mod's discerning eyes! LOL.
— jenn_jenn
June 20, 2004
I had to wait 9 months to change insruance companies to get my surgery so I
understand where you are at, but keep fighting, do what you have to do it
may not happen today but it will happen if you keep trying.
Also there was no way that I could have gone self pay, I am a stay at home
to 4 sons and my husband is our only income, just hang in there and keep
fighting or change jobs, but do what you have to do it will be worth it!!
— Haziefrog
June 20, 2004
I am assuming you are legit and just desperate. There are lots of people
in your boat. Insurance is willing to pay whatever to treat your co-morbs
but won't pay a cent to fix the problem. Life just isn't fair. At 25, I
needed to be told.
Fight, don't give up! Miracles do sometimes happen. You can read about
plenty of them here. Whenever you have a minute, read Dina Mcbride's
profile. I cry every time I read it. If all else fails, with enough hard
work and dedication, you can make your own miracle.
— PattyL
June 20, 2004
Sara, go to www.obesitylaw.com. Check them out, they really can help and it
may not cost you a thing. you have nothing to lose and everyting to gain!
Good Luck!
Sherry S
— sac287
June 20, 2004
You can go to your employer and ask for a waiver on the exclusion. The
company must approve it and get with the insurance company. You should
speak with your HR department. You should also look at the exclusion to
see the specific language used. Sometimes the language is flexible and it
might be possible to have the surgery if you are morbidly obese.
I know that you feel desparate at this point, but YOU have to work hard and
turn every stone possible to make this work. Don't give up!!!!! Try every
option!!!
You can also save to self pay. I live near Fort Payne, AL and you can self
pay locally for $14,500. It's a lot of money, but I believe it will be
worth the sacrifice.
— Mandy L.
June 20, 2004
Sarah,
I have read your profile and from what you say about your height and
weight...............you are not even Morbidly Obese. It is very doubtful
that you would even get an approval from a doctor to do this surgery on
you...Let alone an insurance company to pay for it. What are your
co-morbidities?? Do you have High Blood pressure, High Cholesteral?? Bad
joints?? Artificial parts?? What about sleep apnea??
Just because you have "put on some weight" due to some medication
you were put on, doesn't mean( specially at your age) you can't work it
off. Get up and start exercising.....walk around the block a couple of
times a day........Talk to your doctor about taking you off this medication
that is making you gain the weight and put you on something else. You are
young, same age as my daughter..........she goes to a gym with her husband
and son every other day and works out and keeps her weight under control
and her body in shape..............Do something positive for yourself.
— cindirella
June 21, 2004
This surgery should be a last resort. Since you're not MO, and have not
been overweight that long, have you looked into other weight loss options?
You were thin until a few years ago, so you may be successful with other
alternatives. Has your doc changed the script that was the cause of your
weight gain? Surgery isn't an easy solution, and has possible
complications that could severely impact your life. It's only worth the
risk if you have current health problems that affect your quality of life,
and are unable to lose any other way.
— mom2jtx3
June 22, 2004
Have you tried contacting your local Vocational Rehabilitation. They paid
for my surgery, hospital stay, anesthesia. I was only out $900. The reason
I had to go with VR is because of an exclusion on my policy. I have state
insurance and they will not pay one penny. Problem with it is that if you
have complications, you are on your own. So, it could be worth the try.
I had my surgery on April 1 and am down 40 pounds.
— Kitsy I.
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