Question:
Need info. on open enrollment for BCBS PPN Carefirst & Aetna QPOS on MDASAP

I need help ASAP!I hope someone can help me. My new friend Maricha & I are trying to go thru the loops of WLS together. I have the open enrollment application for BCBS Carefirst PPN, right in front of me. I am self employed. I also, have the application in front of me for Aetna QPOS. I have to decide which to apply for. They must be post marked by 12-31. PLEASE, share some info with me. I have 1 chance, right now, to get an ins. that will cover my surgery........ Please let me know anything that you can about BCBS & Aetna (open enrollment).I want to get the application in the mail, ASAP. Thank you so much, Karen at [email protected]    — [Deactivated Member] (posted on December 20, 2002)

December 19, 2002
Karen, Unfortunately, no one can really answer your question. Insurance is such a mixed bag. Policies differ from one company to another. A group policy is usually more liberal in its coverage than an individual policy. Some states have mandates that all policies must include. Others don't. You really need to get copies of the policies you are considering and look at the exclusions section to see whether WLS is excluded or not. Although my employee handbook lists WLS under exclusions, it is approved under certain circumstances. I met those easily and was approved in just a couple of weeks. However, I have seen posts from others who have the same insurance company and were not able to get approved. It may be that their employer wanted WLS specifically excluded or it may be that mine wanted it included. I don't know. What I do know is that getting answers to insurance questions from the board is next to impossible due to the differences between policies, employers, the state you live in, etc.
   — garw