MizzouFan1

I would kill for you body! Don't let comments like the one from Dylan bring you down! Obviously his communication skills are poor or he is a jerk. Either way you are an inspiration to everyone and we appreciate your courage to post yourself in bikini and flaunt your kick ass curves!

So, my hubby just got a new job and I was all excited about the possibilty of them covering lap-band which they do but one of the stipulations is that you have to be with the company 3 years before they will approve. I am so totally bummed and just defeated. Has anyone heard of this or had luck with talking to HR about changing the time restraints. My husband works for the a large state university. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks for the comments ladies. I probably would have gone with Dr. Malley. I hear nothing but amazing things about him and I thought I heard he himself use to be overweight so he can relate. I am hoping that maybe I can plead my case to the HR folks to let me have it sooner. It was such a let down. I guess I will just keep on plugging away and count the days until the waiting period is up.

Soooo, just as I was beginning to feel hopeful I found out they cover it....but you have to be with the plan for at least 3 consecutive years. WTF? What a load of BS. What does it matter? I am paying $350 a month regardless. I just can't believe it. I am so disappointed. :(

So, my husband just got a job offer today and they have better insurance thought Coventry of Kansas City. I am crossing my fingers big time that maybe this insurance will cover Lap-band as our current BCBS of KC does not. I feel like I have been waiting my whole life for this and I sure hope they cover it and if they do that the restrictions aren't ridiculous. I am thinking Malley Surgical or Weight loss surgical Center? Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks for the replies ladies! I know all about exclusions... I have BCBS of KC and they exclude all bariatric surgery. I know the coverage depends on the company but usually if they do cover it the requirements and such are the same across the board. I was basically just wanting to what experiences people had with them. I am going to start the diet requirement early so when we do switch and everything will already be in place. Any other info y'all have would be fabulous! Congrats on all your weight losses.

You look fabulous and gorgeous! What and inspiration!

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Coventry of Kansas City? My husband is possibly getting a new job (we are waiting on the phone call any day now) with the largest Missouri University and they have Coventry which I am desperately hoping will cover lap band because our current health insurance excludes it. I was just curious if anyone knows the ins and outs. Even if the employer is different any information would be much appreciated...the suspense is killing me. Thanks!

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with Coventry of Kansas City? My husband is possibly getting a new job (we are waiting on the phone call any day now) with the largest Missouri University and they have Coventry which I am desperately hoping will cover lap band because our current health insurance excludes it. I was just curious if anyone knows the ins and outs. Even if the employer is different any information would be much appreciated...the suspense is killing me.

I am very willing to travel. I can't use my house so I am running into many road blocks. I have 3-4 grand in a flex spending account but I still need 5-6 grand for the Dr. Kishenbaum in Colorado. Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming!

thanks for the advice. Any ideas are welcome. The credit card is a no go, but maybe the house. Has anyone used a flex spending account?

Applied for lapband financing, hubby has great credit and was turned down twice. We just bought a house 2 months ago but his credit is decent. I am sooo discouraged anybody have any ideas? Can't use my credit because it is terrible. Thanks.:smile2:

Hi Guys, I was curious if it is possible for my hubby to take out a loan for my lapband surgery because my credit is not so good and I think even cosigning might not help. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

hey nazzy, on the 6 month diet- did you have to actually lose weight or keep a food journal? I am excited but i wish I had already done this but we will see.

hi Nazzy, I had so many different answers and I finally called Michigan BCbS and not the number on my card and they gave me the same criteria that you have(I think). Psych eval, 6 month diet, BMI >40, letter of medical neccessity. What kind of info did they need for the 6 month diet. Do they accept weight watchers or previous attempts?

I called them myself. I am in KC and I called the number of the back of my BCBS card and that is what they told me.

Thats odd, because the criteria I need to qualify is different than that. They said I had to have 12 month failed weight loss attempt documented by PCP and psch eval, letter or medical nesseccity, and a BMI of at least 40. I wonder why there would be different requirements? Yeah I am in a hurry because I get kicked of my parent's insurance in FEB '09.

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone out there has dealt with General Motors BCBS? I have had 12 months of weightloss (and regain) but nothing I would classify as clinically evaluated- what in the heck does that mean anyway:confused2:? I have PCOS and my(gyno) doctor tried Glucophage to get my insulin resistence under control and that didn't work- I wonder if they would consider that as 12 month documented weightloss attempt? Anyone that has any good advice- please please share. I am re-starting this journey - I tried back in summer of '07 and got discouraged by the requirements.:wink_smile: THANKS GUYS!

Andreerichards1- are the surgeries any sheaper in Canada?

Ally I take it you are from KC? I have been looking into Malley Surgical center and have a seminar this saturday! ( my second go-round I missed the last one because I got the meeting times mixed up- fingers crossed!!) Are you planning to self pay? Do you know anything about financing?

I figure whatever works. It really just depends on the person and their particular situation. I am well versed in politics and economics as I am a political science major at UMKC. I do believe Michale Moore is one-sided but it is factually based. Just because a person doesn't like what they are hearing or doesn't want to believe it does not make it any less true. The fact of the matter is- that this stuff does happen and is going on. It is a serious issue facing our country and I would say putting in such a crude and blatant way is the only way to get people to notice that there might actually be a problem. It is pretty evident just on this website alone, with all the serious hassels with the insurance companies. WE are paying them- if it was free I would understand. But, that is my soap box. I just want to get a damn lap band- lol. Don't mean to step on any toes.

Well my thought is- I have to do a 12month supervised diet regime with doctor, dietician, and excercise. Currently, my insurance doesn't pay for office calls. So by the end of 12 months I will have racked up close to 5,000 grand anyway and then what if I invest all that money and still didn't get approved because it isn't like they want to approve me. Obviously, they are making almost impossible to begin with. Then I will have wasted 5,000 when I could just put it towards my surgery. I wouldn't have to convinve some old ass that I "really" need it and that I have been struggling with this my whole life. I can do it when and how I want and I don't feel like I would be throwing it away, it is an ivestment. Think of all the money I will save from buying less food and cheaper clothes. Everybody knows fat people clothes cost like 3 times as much. LOL.

I think that is what I am going to do. About how much does the self-pay run? I know it varies from state to state but there must be some sort of average number?