Coverage in Canada

noone · September 12, 2004

Hi all,

I'm new around here. I was just wondering if there is anyone in Canada, in particular Western Canada, who has had LBS and had it covered at all by their health insurance company. My health carrier is Pacific Blue Cross, and when I called them to ask them if they covered any kind of obesity surgery they got all snitty with me and said 'we don't cover any elective surgeries.' :cry

If anyone has any info I'd love to talk to you about it!

Thanks,

La_madam · September 12, 2004

Lindsay do you have any health problems related to you being over weight. Like high blood pressure , sleep apnea, arthritis, heart problems because if you did then maybe it would not be elective surgery.

http://www.lap-band.com/about.html

The site above may help you to answersome questions and maybe help you find a surgeon in your area and help with insurance questions. There are a few women here from Canada..I'm sure they will respond to your post and many others who have knowledge on insurance issues. I was a self pay becasue my insurance does not cover the band (yet) and I had not health problems related to me being overweight. I went to Mexico to have my surgery and paind 8995.00 for an all inclusive package. Good Luck you you..

New Hope · September 13, 2004

Hi, I answered you on the "saying hi" thread. Member ~C~ is in Ottawa, Ontario. Maybe she can help.

noone · September 13, 2004

Health conditions? Where do I start! I've got knee problems, degenerative discs in my back, a hiatus hernia, sleep apnea, a slightly slow thyroid, slightly high blood pressure and cholesterol, and the list goes on! And I'm only 27! I sound like I'm 67! I know I'm a candidate. It's just a matter of finding a doctor that would support me doing it. And finding out if my health insurance will cover it. Because I won't do it if I have to pay for it, lol. As far as I know though it's not covered in Canada because the procedure is still so new. But if anyone knows anything different, let me know!

La_madam · September 13, 2004

Have you considered having your surgery done in Mexico? I had mine done there. Many docs there offer financing through very reputible U.S. comapnies. I wanted this surgery so bad I paid for it but did finance 2000 of it. With your health problems you can try and fight it with your insurance company, it may work. There are several women here who fought and appealed their insurance comapnies and did get the surgery but it does take time. I personally did not want to wait or fight with my insurance company and I'm so glad I did it like I did ...5 months later down 50 lbs. I'd still be fighting for approval probably. Best of Luck to you...I hope it all works out for you:)

New Hope · September 13, 2004

Lindsay, what an excellent website! It sounds like you have a great weight loss plan. I hope you'll continue your goals even while you're pursing weightloss surgery. Best of luck to you!

noone · September 13, 2004

Thanks Marie, it's my little place to vent and whatnot.

noone · September 13, 2004

If I had it in Mexico, that would require going in an airplane to get there, which I try to avoid these days! hehe. Which is a shame because I love to travel. It's just the seats are too flippin' small. So frustrating! I don't think I'd feel comfortable getting it done in a different country anyway. But I have heard of someone here in Canada getting her health insurance to foot the bill for her op in Mexico, but she lives in another province, so hard to say if that would go over here or not. I probably would have quite the fight on my hands, like you said. I don't know if it's worth all that.