Question:
Can you purchase an insurance policy inorder to have this surgery?

The insurance I have will not cover this surgery. I wondered if anyone had ever purchaced an insurance policy just for this surgery and if so what kind.    — Tammy W. (posted on June 30, 2001)

June 30, 2001
I tried to purchase ins once to cover the cost of surgery, even paid for the first two months as required. Shortly after, I got a letter from the ins co along with a refund and reason for denial - weight and height. I'm not trying to discourage you, but if you qualify for WLS it means that your chances of being able to purchase individual coverage are slim to none. You might stand a better chance of retaining a lawyer to overturn the exclusion in your existing policy. I wish you all the best.
   — dandjon

June 30, 2001
Hi Tammy ! I did purchase an insurance policy strictly for this surgery. I had one thing on my side, I am the Employer so I bought a Pacific Care HMO group insurance and applied immediately after I bought the policy, within 5 days. Luckily for me, my BMI was right at 40 and they didn't consider me overweight. I had to wait 4 weeks for my 1st appt with my PCP, so that gave me time to have all of my favorite foods and gain about 8 pounds.....I then qualified. Good luck...I think that you can purchase Pacific Care as an individual also. The only thing that they required from me was my Schedule C of my 2000 taxes to prove that I worked for myself and a copy of my business card.....GET CREATIVE ! ! !
   — [Anonymous]

July 1, 2001
This is for the person that bought a pacificare Ins. policy and was approved PLEASE HELP.I have battling them for seven months now and they are still denying me. MY BMI is 54 please e-mail me
   — Angie H.