Question:
Wa state indivual insurance anyone?

I have been researching insurance companies for weeks now. I am not employed nor will I be for a while. I have the money for private/individual insurance. I have been trying to find an individual carrier that covers the surgery. I was looking at Aetna but they are not liscenced to sell insurance in wa. Has anyone tried BCBS? I'm at my wits end here. My BMI is plenty high and I have co-morbs...the surgery is definately need. If anyone has ANY help or advice for me please email me at [email protected]. thanks a bunch    — krista B. (posted on July 22, 2002)

July 22, 2002
Too bad you can't get Aetna - they are the best! Definitely stay away from Premera or BCBS - according to my surgeon's ofc they don't even try for approval with that insurance because they deny 100% of the time with no room to budge. I'm not sure of who else you would try - maybe CHPW? Try calling a surgeon's ofc who does the surgery and ask for the billing dept or the person that does the surgery authorizations - ask them which ins they have the best luck with and go from there. Good Luck!
   — Kim A.

July 23, 2002
Things may be different in Washington, but most of the WLS patients I know have had Blue Cross or Blue Shield. They got quick approval. They are pretty restrictive about choice of hospital, though. I know one woman waiting months to get into a particular hospital that BCBS insists on using. My insurance is Health Net PPO. They have moved very quickly for me and I am grateful. I was able to get sceduled for surgery in 2 weeks because thay were flexible about what hospital I used. So far so good. This is my observation of ins coverage in California and realize it may be different in WA. Good luck.
   — Jeff N.

July 24, 2002
Krista, I have BC/BS through my employer and I got approval in ONE day! Yep, the received my surgeon's request the 18th, approved the 19th, and I had my letter at my house the 19th!! I have only had this insurance since July 1st! My surgeon's nurse said that they are the quickest and one of the easiest to deal with. However, even she was shocked that it only took them one day!! My employer dropped our previous ins. (SecureCare of Iowa) so maybe they are trying to impress the big-wigs, I don't know, but so far they are 200% better!! Good luck!
   — Terri Z.