Question:
Can we get Insurance Coverage Post Op ? Is it Difficult to get coverage?

Can we get insurance after Gastric Bypass surgery. I am with a company and we have group insurance. I have heard group insurance cannot deny you coverage as a post op, but that if you try to obtain insurance on your own you cannot get coverage b/c of the surgery. If I leave my job and cannot get individual coverage (and for a decent premium), will my husband's insurance cover me? Does anyone know? Has anyone had to chane insurance after having the surgery?    — dlpnjlp (posted on December 15, 2003)

December 15, 2003
My understanding is that many insurance companies won't write a private policy for people who have had WLS (just as they won't for people with any of a myriad of other health conditions). But, group policies do not have such distinctions. As long as either your or your husband has a group policy (employer policies are group policies), you shouldn't have any problems being insured. It is only if you ever want to get an individual policy that you likely would have a problem. The vast majority of people who have health insurance have it through a group policy. Self-employed people or people who are otherwise not covered by either their, or their spouse's employer, are the most likely ones to need an individual policy. This isn't likely to be a problem for most of us. nd, depending on what co-morbidities you have, you may already been unable to get an individual policy. Since both you and your husband have group policies, this doesn't sound like it should be a big issue for you.
   — Vespa R.

December 15, 2003
Jennifer- I have tried with three different companies to get insurance on my own, without any luck. They are all denying me because of my surgery and they say they will not cover me for up to five years after my WLS. If you find a company that will cover you-Let me know!!
   — Melissa M.

December 17, 2003
I think it depends on your State. I live in NJ, I'm self-employed and carry an individual policy. In the 4+ years since my RNY, I've switched insurance companies 3 times, and have never been denied coverage. But, I have also never had a lapse in coverage, if that makes the difference.
   — Leslie F.