Warning! You will never get insurance again! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

CindyWho · 09-08-2007, 10:52 AM

So it seems.

I am a picture of success. Lost over 110 pounds, diabetes is completey gone for 2 yearas now, correct blood pressure - no meds at all!! I could not be more pleased

Except, anyone that has had bypass can no longer get insurance. It is on the blacklist. After 2 attempts to get insurance on my own, once with Aetna and again with Humanna, I was told both times that no known insurance company covers people that have had gastric bypass.

And no, none will write an exclusion. This is VERY disheartening.

The only, and I repeat ONLY chance I seem to have is if my employer will put me on a group plan. And with the increasing problems and rates employers have with insurance, many are flat out dropping covering of employees. In my case, I lose again. My employer is not an option.

So as a reslut of all of this, I am currently more healthy than I have ever been and completely un-insurable.

Does anyone have a insurance company, of any quality, that covers post-bypass patience? Or is bypass a real blacklist issue for people seeking insurance on their own?

Thanks for sharing

CindyWho

Ruca · 09-08-2007, 10:58 AM

The good thing about a group plan is that they cannot exclude or omit you. That was my concern about going from an office of 3000 to an office of 3.

The new employer already had a health plan through Pacificare and he did some advance research before I accepted the position. They said they could **NOT** exclude me.

It might even be cheaper for you.

GL!

CindyWho · 09-08-2007, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruca

The good thing about a group plan is that they cannot exclude or omit you. That was my concern about going from an office of 3000 to an office of 3.

The new employer already had a health plan through Pacificare and he did some advance research before I accepted the position. They said they could **NOT** exclude me.

It might even be cheaper for you.

GL!

I wish. Unfortunately my employer no longer offers health group. And like thousands of single women I am forced to seek individual insurance for my self.

But yes, group plans more often than not, must allow bypass and can not exclude. That is a plus for anyone that is blessed with a company that provides insurance

CindyWho

coptergirl · 09-08-2007, 05:50 PM

Oye vey - yes insurance is an ugly and murky world. Seems if you so much as ever had the sniffles, they'll find a way to shut you out if you're going private. Yes, group coverage through an employer, or through Cobra after having left the employer or having a qualified event (such as reduction in hours) are everyones best bet. There are companies out there who will insure you, but unfortunately it is at a much higher rate. Ins Cos generally will start to reconsider you and reconsider you at lower rates after having been surgery free for 5 years.

Not much help, I know - I just wish you the very best of luck...

Phoenixfire · 09-08-2007, 06:00 PM

My new job this year covered me with no problem, so I'm surprised to hear this! We have a group plan, less than 100 employees, with United Healthcare. I'm sure I put my past surgeries on my application, but now I wonder! I must have.

Is this common for us post WLS people????

Ruca · 09-08-2007, 06:05 PM

To be denied for self ins yes. Group plans cannot refuse to cover you based on past surgeries or conditions. However, they can out right deny your GBS surgery (unless you have a CA HMO) *especially* if the employer has excluded the procedure from its plan benefits in order to save $.

Gina in NY · 09-08-2007, 07:11 PM

or a professional organization you can join? It might even be worth switching jobs.

Cat_Lover · 09-08-2007, 08:51 PM

Hi CindyWho,

Have you tried Blue Cross/Blue Shield??

Regards,

Cat_Lover

peggerie110 · 09-08-2007, 11:31 PM

Cindy Who,

How long ago did you have the surgery? As I recall insurance apps only ask about surgeries done in the past 5 years, so once you've hit that mark, it's not an issue any more.

Peg

Quote:

Originally Posted by CindyWho

So it seems.

I am a picture of success. Lost over 110 pounds, diabetes is completey gone for 2 yearas now, correct blood pressure - no meds at all!! I could not be more pleased

Except, anyone that has had bypass can no longer get insurance. It is on the blacklist. After 2 attempts to get insurance on my own, once with Aetna and again with Humanna, I was told both times that no known insurance company covers people that have had gastric bypass.

And no, none will write an exclusion. This is VERY disheartening.

The only, and I repeat ONLY chance I seem to have is if my employer will put me on a group plan. And with the increasing problems and rates employers have with insurance, many are flat out dropping covering of employees. In my case, I lose again. My employer is not an option.

So as a reslut of all of this, I am currently more healthy than I have ever been and completely un-insurable.

Does anyone have a insurance company, of any quality, that covers post-bypass patience? Or is bypass a real blacklist issue for people seeking insurance on their own?

Thanks for sharing

CindyWho

Haveaball · 09-09-2007, 04:56 AM

That is so odd because when I was MO and I was looking to get private insurance on my own, NO ONE would cover me BECAUSE I was MO! You can't win ha?