Laid-Off: Insurance may expire soon... - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

JustWesWaiting2Lose · 10-13-2005, 02:09 AM

Hi Everyone,

I'm Wesley. I started my journey down the path of WLS back in Aug 05 but my doc wanted me to handle some other health issues (BP, possible enemia). In doing so my insurance coverage is about to run out (I think on 10/23). As of yesterday, I attended the seminar with Dr Potts/Callery and tomorrow I will be turning in my patient registration form...

Could anyone give me any idea of a time period ? Kinda scared, mad waited this long.

Thanks
Wesley

Veruca Sault · 10-13-2005, 02:11 AM

Doh = ( Sorry to hear that Wesley. What kind of work do you do? I think it would all depend on what kind of insurance plan you have, who the medical group is if its an HMO.

Are you able to take advantage of and maintain your COBRA benefits?

JustWesWaiting2Lose · 10-13-2005, 02:16 AM

Hey Veruca. I was a SAP Program Analyst. Have Cigna Healthplan (HMO)

I do believe that I can take advantage of COBRA benefits, but I'm not familiar with how that program works. The layoff was such a whirlwind catching me off guard (totally ....DOH!)

Veruca Sault · 10-13-2005, 02:29 AM

I would call cigna immediately. call your PCP immed. Check to see what the min amt of referral time is. Come up with a complete list of co morbidities and bring that with you when you see your PCP. Check your evidence of benefits. cigna is HARD to get approvals with from what I understand but perserverance and determination can combat most road blocks!

Unfortunatly COBRA can be very very costly, you often have to pay what the insurer themselves contributes plus your contribution. For example when i left GEICO my Kaiser coverage was $423/month to continue my benefits on my own.

I don't know what SAP stands for but my company is hiring with some external postings for analyst type positions. www.unitrindirect.com.

Hope that helps sweety.

bridgetgirl · 10-13-2005, 11:39 AM

Wesley if you can swing it, try and go for COBRA. There is no possible way you will have surgery by 10/23, they are scheduling surgery out further than that at this time.

When you were laid off it should have been offered to you, I would call your HR dept and see if you can still take advantage of it. Then go from there. Still attend inforamtional seminr, the info and packet they gave you is good for 6 months... so even if you have an insurance snafu that is one less thing to worry about. Also if you have your gallbladder still, schedule an ultrasound as soon as possible, get that out of the way. These are the only things I could think of that you could do now to get the ball rolling. Best wishes to you.

eyesthatkissu · 10-13-2005, 11:47 AM

Bridget brings up a very good point. You could try and get your PCP to schedule all your tests now. The gallbladder ultrasound, sleep apnea, and psych eval. Then there's less to do later when you get all the insurance worked out.

JustWesWaiting2Lose · 10-13-2005, 03:18 PM

...for the information.

I did just find out that although I was informed I was on a HMO plan (I thought otherwise) I am actually on a PPO. I called back to Dr Callery's office and they comfirmed that it was a PPO, I didn't need a referal/authorization letter to schedule a consultation date (which is Nov 4th, @ 2pm)

Tomorrow I will speak with my PCP and schedule all the testings you mentioned and see how we go from there.

Contacted my previous employment HR and left msg regarding the COBRA benefits. I'll keep you all informed.

Thank you again so much for your info. I'm scared, but welcoming the chance to do this life changing surgery. I'm certain that I'll be just as happy as my sister who had the surgery in Feb, and my mother that recently had it in Aug.

Jeanie · 10-13-2005, 03:45 PM

They actually have 30 days before they have to send out the papers for Cobra. Once you pay for cobra it will be retroactive back to the date that you lost the insurance. You can call and have it all faxed to you if need be. Also not to be the bad news girl but I have Cigna HMO and I heard that Cigna is no longer paying for any kind of weightloss surgery. It might be different with a PPO, but I know that there has been a few issues at my work with Cigna because they will no longer pay for it. You might want to call them and ask them, just so you know what they will or won't pay for!

bridgetgirl · 10-13-2005, 04:41 PM

If you have a PPO you dont need a referral or talk to anybody that to get a referral to anything.... with a PPO you can do it all yourself! No need to wait on anybody!

So are you going to look into the COBRA thing or what man? Talk to you soon!

JustWesWaiting2Lose · 10-13-2005, 04:57 PM

Gotcha... should I still call the doctor just asking them who I should go to run my tests, ultrasound for gallbladder...etc?

The COBRA thing yes...I've already called HR, but I had to leave a msg. (They're on the east coast) I will call again first thing in the morning.