Hi,

This is a long post, but I need to vent! Does anyone have PacifiCare insurance? I can't believe what they are doing now! I had been so excited to find I could get coverage for LapBanding, as I have an HMO. (I was surprised to find out that PacifiCare PPO doesn't cover the procedure! ) Anyway, I spent my last 2 days happily setting up the appointments and getting my schedule cleared for all the long trips down to the city I would be going to for the surgery, when I got a phone call from the surgeon's office telling me that PacifiCare just implemented a new policy: Every potential Lap Band patient MUST go to a diet center set up by PacifiCare and be monitored FOR SIX MONTHS before they can start the process for banding!! :angry I couldn't believe and tried to fight it because of the seriousness of my health issues, but there are NO exceptions. Has anyone else run into this? I have about 100 pounds to lose, so what if I lose some weight on this diet program....can they deny me the surgery because I no longer have the required amount of pounds to lose? If I don't lose weight, can they deny me because I will look like I am not motivated? I am so sad, I cried at work when I found out. I have SO many health issues, as well as knee/foot issues that keep me from walking. I was so looking forward to a "new" life; I want that so much! Now, if I do this, it will be almost a year before I can start. My DH and I just got ourselves out of debt.... should I put us back in and just pay for this ourselves? Help!! I am so depressed and upset....:cry and I am so glad you all are there.

Karen

Thank you for the explanation! How do you know all that?? You certainly made it understandable! I guess in a perfect world, all helpful surgery would be covered by every insurance, but since this world is NOT..... sigh... OK, I will try to be patient and understanding! Thanks for your help...