Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

discrimination of overweight people!!



Recommended Posts

I currently DO NOT have any health insurance. No independent insurance will cover me because "
my build exceeds the limit of acceptance
." I am currently 5'7" & weight 212. When I initially applied for insurance I weighed 258. I had the lapband placed to help me lose weight & qualify for health insurance. My husband is self-employed so we have to find independent insurance. My family is insured, but not their
fat
mother!!!

I don't smoke or drink. Heck, I don't even drink caffeinated drinks!!! I don't have high blood pressure, diabetes.........NOTHING!! My doctor told me I was in perfect health except that I am overweight. However, when I went to re-apply for insurance since lowing weight, the insurance has told me they will not cover me unless I weigh below 208. I could get my own "special" insurance & it would cost $650/month for me alone. I don't have $650 a month!! Heck, I NEVER go to the doctor except for regular routine checksup. What would that $650 cover?!?!

Is this discrimination or what? They will cover people who smoke & drink, but not ME!! They cover people who have high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, problems with all kinds of stuff. They are cover these people because they are under the required weight limit.

Something is SO WRONG with this!!!! I know I should just lose that extra 5 lbs. & suck it up, but REALLY.......this is just so frustrating!! I should be covered!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

When I first started my WLS journey I had to have a psych eval by a PhD per the criteria from my ins co. Well their approved list of PhDs was very limited. Like could count on one hand the approved providers. The first two that I called flat out told me that they didn't believe in bariatric surgery and I would be better off seeking consultation elsewhere. Wow I had never experienced a Dr. telling me that before. Especially since I have been a nurse for hmmmmm like 23 years. I would never consider talking to a patient like that.:) M

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey Jenna! The insurance is private. My husband & I are both self-employed so we don't have the option of getting work insurance.

By the way, I got your private message & tried to respond, but it keeps coming up as an error. E-mail me at Dianechef@cox.net & I can answer your question. Not sure what the deal is!! Sorry.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

This health system really suck's because if you are a normal person or middle class citzen you fallen to the group where the Goverment don't care to help. it's sad Some time's you are better off being POOR! then trying to make a living working and being the working poor!

I have been fighting this Discrimination for years because I"m lucky "I guess because I have a some what of a Good union Job! witch Praise the Lord, we make it because Im the soul provider at this point and for the last Ten year's with a family of five.

If I go to work then I knock my wife and family of health care!

with the great union job I have first you have to get 300 hours in then you have to wait two month's after that to get insurence, then if your lucky enough to keep getting lots of hours then you only have to pay few hundred dollers amonth.

but with this WAR we have to feed things are only going to get worse! sorry to step on your post! "I hate this system we have.JOHNQ

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You are so right John!! 2 yrs. ago my husband lost is job which had great company insurance & I was 8 months pregnant!! AGH!!! For the first time in my life, we qualifed for AHCCCS & I have never been treated so good!! They GIVE you stuff just for showing up at your schedule appointments. We got a free carseat, free baby formula, bottles, & lots of baby bags & other stuff. I never paid a dime for any of my appointments or to have the baby.

6 months later my husband started his own business & now we are making enough, but we are right in the middle where we have to pay ALOT to have personal insurance. It's just even more frustrating that they won't even accept me AT ALL because of my weight.

Something just isn't right! :straight

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Diane, what state are you in? Perhaps you and your husband could partner up as an LLC (Shepherd's Enterprises, or something like that) and become a small business? Talk to a broker and see if that would work in your state. It's a VERY common tactic for self-employed folks in NJ.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Alex!

I live in AZ & I have never heard of partnering up as an LLC. Hmm... that is definatley something to look into. It is our Broker who has been helping us get Health Insurance & is also a little unhappy that they STILL aren't covering me because of my weight. Maybe he already knows that we don't qualify for this program or hey, maybe HE just doesn't know about it!! I'll ask! Thanks for the tip.

All in all, I only have 5 lbs to lose before they will qualify me. I'm sure the easiest thing to do is just LOSE THE EXTRA FREAKIN' POUNDS!! It just bites.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry to hear you're in AZ. That's one of the very worst states in which to get individual coverage, I hear. And I don't know anything about their group requirements. But it's always worth investigating. Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Grrr, that is frustrating! Many folks, in your position are struggling to be insured. You're correct, when larger folks are not insured but smokers, drinkers can...that's discrimination. Shawn

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the understanding Shawn!!

I am down 3 lbs. & only have 2 more to go!! I'll be covered real soon. Maybe I should start up smoking or something & see what happens. Oh.....just kidding.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×