Question:
I have been without insurance and now I am in a position to purchase insurance.

I am currently uninsured. I am in a position to start seeking insurance (I am self employed). Does anyone know if they (insurer) make you wait a period of time before they will cover weight lost surgery. I am self employed. I don't want to wait. I may also consider cash payment. Is cash payment done by a cash payment plan or do most ask you to finance. Any information on payment methods would be helpful.    — Loretta H. (posted on December 18, 2004)

December 18, 2004
Check your local chamber of commerce for best rates, you can get group rates like big companies do. If you were treated for anything weight related you will probably HAVE to wait 6 months or more for coverage to kick in. They may call it pre existing.
   — bob-haller

December 18, 2004
I know my insurance at the time of my RNY was Blue Choice and it is our surgeons FAVORITE. They are the best about approvals and quick. I would ask around. Check out obesityhelp.com's insurers link and see what you can find that's available in your area for a decent premium. Best wishes.
   — FaithMills

December 18, 2004
Loretta, At the time I was attempting to get coverage for my WLS pretty much every self-insured policy in my area had an air-tight exclusion for ANYTHING weight related. (I.e., you could be anorexic and dying, and they still wouldn't play - just as I was MO and dying - they pretty much didn't give a rip.) Times have changed, though, so it is wise to carefully inquire. You might also consider checking with the various attorneys out there that represent clients who are attempting to get denials overturned, etc. They may know better than most which companies are the best at this. In terms of self-pay, it really depends on who your surgeon is. I ended up being a self-pay patient. I went to Spain for my surgery and am so thankful that my insurance did NOT cover WLS - I would have never ended up having the wonderful Dr. Baltasar as my surgeon if they had! There are MANY different routes to self-pay. There are finance companies galore, if you have retirement or medical savings accounts, they can often be used as pre-tax dollars to pay for WLS. The great news is that WLS is tax deductible - making for a very good tax year if you self-pay! (We were able to claim travel, lodging, transportation, any labs, x-rays, etc. on our taxes.) All tolled, I spent $15,000 on my surgery. It was worth every single penny. If you are looking for finance companies, there is a list over at www.bodybybaltasar.com, go to Links, then Money Stuff. I can't vouch for them myself, as that wasn't the route I took - but various folks have passed that info on to me. Let me know if I can answer any questions, okay? Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride

December 18, 2004
You could always get a part time job JUST for insurance:) Home depot covers WLS do check about pre existing, some BIUG group policies arent so restrictive:) with pre existing.
   — bob-haller

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