Hi all I have BCBS Louisiana (office of group benifets) and it is not covered on the Plan. I have contacted the doctor that I want to do my surgary and filled out all the paper work, but since my insurance will not cover the surgary i would have to appeal. I hear they do not approve any appeals eaither. I have not applied for an appeal yet, I was told to try and get a loan but my credit score is not high enough for the loan : ( I am in the process of rebuilding my credit, was wondering if there were and Government grants available the medical loans? I am 34 and in general good health but weigh 301 and i am 5'5 my family history is bad lost both of my parents at an early age my mother was 38 was over weight and had breast cancer my father had a bad heart and passed away from a massive heart attack at the age of 46. Doctors have told me I have to lose this weight to lower my chances of getting breast cancer since I lost my mother and grandmother to it

and extend my life and be here for my children and not die at an early age like my parents and grandparents. How can I get help with financing this surgary. if anyone has any feedback I would greatly appreciate it thanks!

Can you switch your health insurance ? Unfortunately I don't think there are any government grants for this type of thing. There should be.

You will have to keep fighting for it with your insurance company. If your doctor feels this is going to save your life in the long run - then he/she should help you fight for it as well.

Best of luck

Can you switch your health insurance ? Unfortunately I don't think there are any government grants for this type of thing. There should be.

You will have to keep fighting for it with your insurance company. If your doctor feels this is going to save your life in the long run - then he/she should help you fight for it as well.

Best of luck

thanks! I spoke to my doctor yesterday and they said my insurance will not cover the surgery and you are right I have not seen anything that offers grants. Open enrollment for insurance is in april unless I want to pay for it myself, but I do not know of any insurance through the state of louisiana that offers this surgery. I am really sad about this, I guess I will need to pay off some bills and be able to barrow the money to get the surgery, I do not see any other way ; ( Thanks so much for your comments I will have this surgery one day.

It is important to know if the denial is due to your company opting out of it or if it is the insurance denying due to the sleeve being "experimental". If it is due to your company's choices on coverage. There is not much you can do. If it is due to it being "experimental" then you can appeal. I won my appeal with bcbs CA. If you lose the appeal you can apply for an IMR ( I think that is right) internal medical review for a second appeal. That works for many people. You also can look into having the surgery in mexico. Good luck.

Hi, I also agree; surgery in Mexico can run anywhere from $4999 (I saw a special today) to $8700. I know many places offer financing. Could be a good bet for you.