Question:
How long do you have to wait on new insuracne plans?

i RECENTLY STARTED A NEW JOB AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE GBS AND MY INSURANCE WILL GO IN EFFECT THE LAST OF THIS MONTH. I HAVE HEARD THAT THEY PUT YOU ON A WAIT. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS TRUE AND HOW LONG IS THE WAIT? MY INSURANCE WILL BE BCBS PREFERED CARE OR ALABAMA?EMAIL [email protected]    — April P. (posted on July 14, 2001)

July 14, 2001
Most insurances, including blue cross have what is called a pre-existing condition clause. This means : any condition you discussed and/or were treated for six months prior to the start of your new insurance. This is exactly how blue cross stated it to me on the phone. As long as the words weight loss surgery were never brought up you are fine. Otherwise you have to wait for 1 year, unless you had another insurance that ended withink 63 days of this one beginning. Then you should have received a certificate of coverage and turned it into blue cross. Anything you were being treated for from the past company blue cross also has to cover
   — paula B.

May 29, 2004
I intentionally switched jobs to get an insurance carrier that is historically good about paying for WLS. I have BCBS PPO of Alabama. I actually called my surgeon's office and asked if they would submit my request for WLS and was accepted, two weeks after I started my new insurance plan. I had insurance concurrently for the past six years, so I did not have a waiting or pre-existing clause. Thank goodness for this insurance. Good luck, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me.
   — Camille S.