I am tentatively scheduled for surgery mid March. Having stumbled onto a couple of posts last night about people not being able to get insurance after being banded I suddenly had a bad feeling. The money guy at my work had mentioned looking into different insurance later this year. We are currently with Blue Cross Selections but my surgery will be a self pay.

I am presuming that I cannot be removed from my current insurance because I have the procedure. My guess is that people are having trouble when they go to change coverage after the procedure. I have seen some things about having to be 3 years out from surgery to get an individual policy and such I am just unsure if an individual policy is the same thing as a group policy at a company?

I will be confirming if we are going to be looking for new insurance later this year and if so, I am scared to get banded yet.

Thoughts? Help?

I think those that are having a hard time getting insured are those who private pay for health insurance. I'm not sure, but that's what I think. I can't really see a company or corporation having an exclusion for maintaining the band when they paid to have it placed. But stranger things have happened. Let us know what you find out...

I think those that are having a hard time getting insured are those who private pay for health insurance. I'm not sure, but that's what I think. I can't really see a company or corporation having an exclusion for maintaining the band when they paid to have it placed. But stranger things have happened. Let us know what you find out...

My current insurance will not have paid to have it placed, I am a self pay. More so what I am really trying to find out is....if and when my company changes insurance companies, and of course they will not have paid to have it placed either, is that when I would have the problem of getting coverage?

"There are key differences between individual and group insurance plans. Individual health insurance plans were designed to provide insurance to unemployed or self-employed persons not covered under their employer's plan. In some cases, individual insurance can be difficult to obtain at any price. People with pre-existing, previously diagnosed, or treated health problems seeking new health insurance policies are considered high-risk by insurance companies, and may be unable to find affordable health insurance or any health insurance at all.

On the other hand, group insurance plans, which provide coverage for two or more individuals, cannot single out high-risk individuals; nor can they deny them health coverage. All individuals are covered regardless of their existing health problems, and high-risk individuals are factored into the total cost of the group plan"

OK....feeling much better now that I learned this online. Whew!!!

Thank goodness you posted this info - I have been worried sick over this exact issue. I read about people not being able to get insurance post op (even years later). There was one lady that said her hubby's group insurance wouldn't take her - but maybe she mis-spoke?!! I definitely appreciate your update and I will continue to investigate more about this!

I will probably do a bit more research yet. If I learn anymore I will post it and it would be great if you do the same! I am glad this was helpful for you too.