i just needed some info

June 15, 2004

I've been thinking about getting lap-band for a year now, i have a friend that had it done and she looks wonderful.

but im scared that i wont qualify, mentally, i feel like i weigh 800lbs, but im only 210, i've always been heavy, and i feel like i need to make a change, soon, my body hurts, so does my mind. can anyone give me some information on qualifications or appeals if i have to go that route?

thanks

marsha · June 15, 2004

Qualifications vary with insurance companies so it's best to check with your company ofcourse. But in general, most will pay for surgery if your BMI is over 40 (providing there isn't an exclusion for bariatric surgery in your policy). Most will pay if your BMI is between 35 and 40 if you have 2 co-morbidities ( other ailments that are related to obesity like diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc). Some insurances will not pay for lapband because they say it's experimental and Inamed will assist you with an appeal if they deny due to "experimental status".

Hope this helps.