I called my insurance company today (Great West Life) and was told that while they don't generally cover the lap-band surgery, if my doctor sends in an estimate along with reasons the surgery is needed they will consider it. Has anyone had any luck with something like this? Is there any way to get the insurance company to pay for any of it at all? I'm 24, and my BMI is 48.

Thanks!

Hi Andrew: I telephone Blue Cross and they told me and resounding "NO". If you are successful let me know. I will be in your cheering section.

Doddie

Hi Andrew: I telephone Blue Cross and they told me and resounding "NO". If you are successful let me know. I will be in your cheering section.

Doddie

I will let you know. It takes a couple of times for me to get the concept of no through my head. Just ask my wife.

Andrew

My insurance company- SSQ in Quebec, agreed to cover the cost of the band itself as a medical device (up to 80% of the max they decided which was $4500)... so I consider myself lucky.

Dawn

Banded April 4th, 2006

Montreal

358/191/179

I called my insurance company today (Great West Life) and was told that while they don't generally cover the lap-band surgery, if my doctor sends in an estimate along with reasons the surgery is needed they will consider it. Has anyone had any luck with something like this? Is there any way to get the insurance company to pay for any of it at all? I'm 24, and my BMI is 48.

Thanks!

How did that work for you??? I have GWL insurance and was given the same response....

Just wondering...can you only claim it if you had your surgery in Canada or can you claim it if you went to Mexico?

You can claim it regardless of where you had surgery. I was banded in WA state and live in BC...claimed the surgery, hotel bills, gas, meals....save reciepts for everything and submit it all.

And to whomever commented on claiming it the following year if that worked better for you... I actually claimed 1/2 the first year and 1/2 the second year...that's how it worked best for me and I got the most out of it. Talk to your accountant.

All the best,

Patricia

You can claim it regardless of where you had surgery. I was banded in WA state and live in BC...claimed the surgery, hotel bills, gas, meals....save reciepts for everything and submit it all.

And to whomever commented on claiming it the following year if that worked better for you... I actually claimed 1/2 the first year and 1/2 the second year...that's how it worked best for me and I got the most out of it. Talk to your accountant.

All the best,

Patricia

That's good to be able to claim - I am likely going to MX

GWL said no to me also.

Hi, Everyone,

I work for one of those insurance companies, and for the most part, none of this is covered. Your policy may have some unique features such as "medical devices" listed...though I think most insurance cos are going through their contracts to eliminate anything that vague. So, for the most part, we are out of luck.

HOWEVER...I do happen to know that the insurance companies, through the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, are starting to talk about obesity and how to prevent and treat it. So, I would think, in the not so distant future, there will be some funding - though what that will be, is unknown.

For the person who had a Health Spending Account with Alberta Blue Cross, I do know that any treatment/costs that can be claimed on your income tax statement are typically covered by your HSA...thus, the surgery should be eligible to be claimed under that. I would call back and ask them about the limitations of your H.S.A. - I would be surprised if it was not covered.

If you look in the fine print of your GWL policy you may be able to get them to cover some of the "other" stuff such as nutritional counselling, physio, psycological therapy etc. Let me know if you ever got anything out of them because I'm about to try to them to pony up $2000 toward the cost and it would be nice to know that somebody managed to get something out of them before!

For any Albertans wondering, i confirmed with Out-of-Country AHC in person that if you go out of province or out of country, Mexico included, they will cover some of the fees, about $1,500 if it is done at a real hospital. Also, Possible to claim at tax time as a medical expense. I am booked with Dr.Corvala at the Tijuana Hospital Angeles for Feb 23!

package $6,000US plus flights.

I tried to claim mine through Pacific Blue Cross but was completely denied. I did successfully claim on my income tax and even passed the audit they threw my way a few months later.

i work for canada post when i submited to GReat west life i was denied on 2 levels i have now asked the CEO and president of the company to over rule GWL as we have coverage for Medicaly implanted devices but apperently it specifys what types and i have asked to see the documents but they wont show me !

Hello all. I have Sun Life insurance and they paid about $3000 for surgeons fees etc, but not for the band. It is now under appeal with the insurance company, but who knows what will happen there.

Hi,

I am with Sunlife as well and I am scdhuled for the surgery on Feb 15th, 2012.. I called them this morning they said that they not covering this surgery they never mentioned anything about the surgeons fees.. since I asked them about the lapband in general.. please let me know how can I do this.. did you submit the recipte after the surgery or you got thier approval first?!

Thanks