Question:
Has anyone had trouble getting insurance post-op?

We are relocating and are having to get an individual family plan. Some insurance companies say that there is a 5-10 year waiting period post op. Is this true?? I am 2 years post-op with no complications. Thanks for your help!    — Gary F. (posted on July 9, 2004)

July 9, 2004
I have heard that there is a waiting period as a post op but I don't think it is as long as 5-10 years. Why not ask around with companies in your current area to get an idea. I am currently investigating new life insurance with my husband. We had term life with an increase each year. It is creeping up to being more than we can afford. SO, as we sat with the salesman, I asked him what his experience with post ops was. He ave me a blank stare. he claims that his guess would be that if the surgery is done to improve and extend my life I should be a lower risk, and that the companies for life insurance are looking for mortality risks, not morbidity risk. We shall see. I still have my reservations. Good luck!
   — Fixnmyself

July 9, 2004
Yes it is true. Usually the wait is two years after your weight has been proven to be stabilized. This could be three or four years for health insurance. Hopefully you can get your family on a employer group plan. You are also insurable under a high risk plan if your COBRA or HIPAA plan has exhausted itself. Regarding life insurance, the wait could be 5-10 years. I do not agree with your insurance person, that companies are sympathetic to WLSers for actuarial reasons. They are still denying insurance consistently. Keep trying. There will be a insurer that will assume the risk and accept us. I am also two years out. I am going to try in three more years for life and next year for health.
   — Christina J

July 10, 2004
I tried to get an individual policy and was denied every time. Anthem told me their new standard waiting period is now three years. They say their research showed that most complications happen in the first three years. I had to do COBRA, then my husband's company got new insurance (Anthem), and it's almost as expensive for us as COBRA, but I was able to be insured and it will last longer than 18 months. Good luck! I think it's ridiculous since we are healthier and don't need the medications we did as pre-op's.
   — Dragonfly2B2