Recent Posts

KimberlyHeidi
on 9/24/10 3:55 am - VA
Topic: RE: Buy insurance to get WLS or Self pay??
I am unsure of what to do. I have tried to get insurance before but because of my issues I have been denied. 

The last few surgeons I have spoken with would like me to get insurance before surgery as a back up. I am not sure what to do since I have been denied in the past. 
paracerc
on 9/24/10 12:27 am
Topic: Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield says VSG is still Experimental????
 Has anyone had any luck with appealing approval for a VSG with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield?

I have been approved for both a Lap-Band and an R-Ny, but I really want the Sleeve. They said that the vsg is still considered to be in its experimental stages.
 
Has anyone had the sleeve approved by Blue Cross Blue Shield??

thanks!

Christa
(deactivated member)
on 9/24/10 12:26 am - Naples, FL
VSG on 09/20/10 with
Topic: RE: WLS prevents you from getting health insurance ???
On September 23, 2010 at 9:57 PM Pacific Time, Lucy van Pelt (formerly LetItBe) wrote:
 As of today I believe it is illegal for insurance companies to deny based on pre existing conditions ...
I'm 99.9% sure that's not correct.  And honestly, it should be that way.  If they made a law saying they HAD to insure you no matter what, no one would get health insurance until they got sick.
Nan2008
on 9/23/10 11:54 pm - Midland, MI
Topic: RE: Please read and give me advice!

Angie,

I have Aetna insurance and also did the 3 month Multidisciplinary program.  My daughter also has had surgery and so has a friend of mine, all of us having Aetna insurance.  I'm sure you have looked at their clinical bulletin 0157 for the 'requirements' .  If you meet those requirements, there should be no reason why you can not appeal and get this overturned.

In your denial letter, what is the reason they are giving you for denial?  I was denied, my daughter was denied, and my friend was denied.  I put together appeals on all three of them and eventually all three of us were approved. 

Basically what it comes down to is they hgave requirements, and if you meet them, you will get approved.  If you are denied, think of it as a bump in the road but don't give up!!

I will be glad to share the letters I wrote in our appeals.  PM me if you'd like.  

Again, read the denial letter and find out the reason they are denying.  Then, provide that information to them so the decision can be overturned.  

Nan 

Nan

HW 300
/ SW 280 / CW 138 /
GW 140
Hit Goal 4/2/2010

        
Nan2008
on 9/23/10 11:45 pm - Midland, MI
Topic: RE: DENIED BY AETNA ON APPEAL
What is their reason for denial?  They should have provided you with a reason of why you were denied such as lack of 2 year history of obesity, BMI did not meet requirements, etc...  What was their reason?

Nan

HW 300
/ SW 280 / CW 138 /
GW 140
Hit Goal 4/2/2010

        
Topic: RE: WLS prevents you from getting health insurance ???
 As of today I believe it is illegal for insurance companies to deny based on pre existing conditions ...
 Lucy van Pelt 
 Highest 255 Surgery 248 Current 170
Goal: 150
 

            
Topic: RE: DENIED BY AETNA ON APPEAL
 Oh I am SO sorry to hear this.  I'm really furious with the way this whole system works!  You have to work your ass off, pay the co-pays, attend a million meetings and appts NOT KNOWING if you'll be "approved" for surgery?!  It's nuts.  Your insurer should approve you if a doc says it's necessary.  Short of they you should be able to get a "conditional approval" based on completing your doc's requirements.  This really gets me steamed.

What are their reasons?

All I can do is hope for you and hope that your doc is very good at this.  Is there a dedicated insurance person at the office who handles everything?

Hearts and more hearts ...
 Lucy van Pelt 
 Highest 255 Surgery 248 Current 170
Goal: 150
 

            
BethR311
on 9/23/10 1:53 pm - Fort Wayne, IN
Topic: RE: WLS prevents you from getting health insurance ???
My understanding is that taking medicine for practically anything will get you either excluded from an individual plan or jack the rates so high you can't possibly afford it: allergies, migraines, high blood pressure, depression, etc.
WASaBubbleButt
on 9/23/10 1:38 pm - Mexico
Topic: RE: Please read and give me advice!
Bottom line here, if you have met each and every requirement they cannot legally deny you surgery. Sooooo, this is where you find your inner ***** and go for it. Fight for your surgery, fight for your life. If you want my phone number I'll PM it to you and I will do anything I can for you.

Fight the *******s.

Previously Midwesterngirl

The band got me to goal, the sleeve will keep me there.

See  my blog for newbies: 
http://wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/
mrsconrad
on 9/23/10 11:03 am - Steger, IL
Topic: DENIED BY AETNA ON APPEAL
I can hardly type this, but I was denied again by aetna after an appeal showing 6 new, consecutive months of a physican supervised program done out of my surgeons office.

I dont know what I am doing wrong.  My doctor will do peer to peer, but i am so bummed.  I have applied for the surgery twice now (once in 07 and once in 10) been denied twice, and now denied on appeal.

I am so afraid that this assistance is not going to happen for me.  I am terrified.

Maria
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