Question:
any ins i could buy independantly to pay for the surgery?

current ins excludes weight loss instead of fighting i would like to just buy additional or supplimental that covers wls    — Carrie O. (posted on April 19, 1999)

April 19, 1999
Most insurance excludes weight loss. That is why most require a doctor to determine that this surgery is medically necessary. I would call your insurance company before checking around for new insurance. Explain what you are doing and see what they say. Don't just assume it won't happen because they exclude weight loss in your policy.
   — dboat

April 19, 1999
Even if your insurance excludes weightloss surgery, almost ALL of them will pay for it. You need to find a bariatric surgeon who knows what to say to the ins. companies. You have surgery because of back,hip,joint pains, cellutis, rash under the apron areas, poor hygiene, diabetes, high blood pressure and the list goes on... What surgery gets rid of the above symptoms? Why WLS of course! I doubt you can buy supplemental insurance as an overweight person anyway. There is an attorney who has had weightloss surgery and has at least a 95% success rate in getting insurance to pay. Name is Walter Lipscomb in CA.
   — Ben R.

April 19, 1999
It will be very hard to find independant insurance to cover wls If you can find one, they usually have a rider for pre-existing conditions. You would be better off fighting your ins. co. or waiting for open enrollment to change insurances if that is an option. BCBS, and Cigna, are two that are usually very good at covering wls.
   — Colleen S.

April 20, 1999
Don't Know the answer to your question but from what I hear, obesitylaw.com is well worth the investment and have had good sucess rates in helping to get insurance approvals. doesn't hurt to give it a try. good luck.
   — cindy N.