Band eroded & removed but ins. Won't pay for sleeve>:

[Teachingmom 3]

I had to have my lap band removed because it eroded but my ins (BC/BS) won't pay for another WLS. so I am at a total standstill. I can't private pay anytime soon. My dr. Already approved to do the sleeve but I wondered if there's any insurance I can sign up for that most likely will pay?

[chinamama 104]

Have you already applied to the insurance company and been denied? Or are you just reading your policy?

[LisaLoseAlotx2 147]

my friends lapband eroded into her stomach. Any doctor will require you to not do anything for at least six months. If you are self-pay, due to cost, I would recommend looking into some of the excellent doctors in Mexico. I am thrilled with mine and they use a large variety of funding companies...although I will warn you, you will end up paying MORE going that route (they wanted to charge me a $1,000 fee). However, it is still 1/4 of the cost of what they charge in the states.

[Mel1975 7]

Appeal the decision. You have a whole appeal process to go thru. Don't just take a no. I had a once in a life time WLS policy added to my insurance. I was able to talk to them and do a verbal appeal. They confirmed my information with the surgery center. As it was medically necessary to have the band removed and it was proved by THEM that I needed WLS in the first place, I won and they paid for the sleeve 4.5 months after the band was removed. It took lot of documentation which you have with the erosion.