Hi Folks,

My hubby and I just purchased a condo in Vancouver. We said "yes" to the life insurance questions. We got a call from the insurance company and said that because the mortgage is over $300,000 that they needed a medical done by one of their Nurses. The Nurse came to the house.. took blood, urine, BP, weighed us, asked lots of questions etc. etc., Of course I told her about the Lap-Band surgery (That's one of the questions... have you had surgery in the last X # of yrs?)

Now I just get a letter from the insurance company stating that because of my build and that I had weight loss surgery (does not specifically mention Lap-Band) that I did not qualify for mortgage life insurance. (On the brighter side, hubby was approved and if somethng happens to him.... I'm covered! hee hee!)

I am going to fight that decision. I'm going to my Doctor to get a letter to state that although I'm slightly overweight (his words, not mine) that I'm in excellent health and don't have the troubles or even pre-troubles of obesity related problems.

I am hightly offended by this letter. We (as Lap-Banders) do something to

help our health long term and it feels like I'm being denied priviledges that were previously no problem for me!

I'm 36 y/o, 5'3", 213 lbs (was 220 lbs at the time of the Nurse home visit) and wear a size 16. All in all, in what I consider good shape... I'm quite active. What I'm trying to say is that when I walk down the street, I'm not gawked at and I think most of the general public would think I'm of regular size. (or perhaps I'm just fooling myself... nahhhh!) Not exactly how one would think of "size" being a rejection reason for insurance!!

I'm venting here guys. I will take the steps to try and set the record straight with my Doctor etc. I don't want to have the future insurane problem of having to answer "yes" to the "Have you ever been turned down for insurance in the past?" question.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, please share your experience.....and the outcome.

Suzie Q

OMG!! Just when you think you have heard it all.

I'm mad for you.

Good luck,

edie

Wow----keep us posted as to what happens---that is so ridiculous!!!

Kat

Sigh... this is NOT uncommon and though I don't know the laws in Canada in the U.S. there's precious little one can do about it. I recently applied to increase the amount of life insurance I have on myself. I bought a policy years ago and just settled for what they'd give me at the time without a medical exam--since I was so young that wasn't a problem. Now, though I'm ten years older, I'm 100 lbs lighter and I figured I could buy "real" insurance even with medical questions. So I applied and the ball was rolling.

A couple of days later I find out my band has to be removed, which meant surgery. Easy, simple, recovered immediately, no ill effects, but lo and behold my insurance application was ... well, let's say I decided the prudent thing to do would be to withdraw it. Now that I'm having replacement surgery in a month or so, I'm told I'll need to wait at least a year before applying again if I don't want to run the risk of being denied completely.

SHEESH! It seems like there are no humans involved in the underwriting process anymore. They see surgery--especially weight-loss surgery--on a chart from less than 5 years ago and it's an immediate black mark. No matter that the surgery IMPROVES our health, makes it likely that we'll live LONGER. So you have my sympathy and I hope that you can prevail with an appeal. In my state, at least, I don't know of any appeal process for life insurance. All we can do is "shop around" and hope someone else takes a different view.

That reallllly sucks....I'm shocked by that (but then, what do I know?)

I understand your anger and would definitely puruse it. It is wrong wrong wrong on soooo many levels!

I phoned the receptionist at my Surgeons office and OMG, she was soooo angry! But finally, after two weeks to calm down and trying not think about this, I sent off my objection letter to the insurance company. I explained the surgery and I pointed out that it was not gastric bypass (I understand from the receptionist there can be major complications after gastric bypass). I explained I was healthy before the surgery and healthy after the surgery and that my Doctor's have extensive tests to prove just that! I've asked the insurance company what documentation I would need from my Doctor's to get this insurance. Hopefully I will hear something soon. I will keep you all posted. Thanks for the replies. Suzie Q

Whoo hooo... I'm approved!!

After going to my Dr. and having him fill out a form and send it back to the insurance company... they have finally approved me for insurance on my mortgages!

If anyone is going through the same thing, it was Canada Life who is the insurance provider.

Thanks for all your concerns and I hope this message can help another bandster fighting for the same thing.

Suzie Q

That is good news.

I have never had life insurance, besides what is provided by my work due to the fact that I had been denied a couple of times at my high weight.

I am hoping that once I get the weight off I will qualify.

Andrew

Andrew,

You are doing fantastic. I can see life insurance in your near future.

Over 100lbs gone is terrific. You should be so proud of yourself.

Have a great week!

Andrew,

You are doing fantastic. I can see life insurance in your near future.

Over 100lbs gone is terrific. You should be so proud of yourself.

Have a great week!

Thanks, perhaps I should add that to my list of goals. Get life insurance.

As lame as it sounds it is something that I need to do.

Andrew

Whenever I hear someone praise the "private health insurance" over "public health insurance" I cringe then get angry.

When are people going to wake up that private insurance companies are not in the business of paying out only taking in money. They are in the business only for their stockholders period. Human compassion does not enter the equation. If you are healthy they want your money everyone else go without coverage. Public Health insurance is great but needs to improve in the type of coverage they will or not cover. If they can't cover then they must allow people to go to private without penalty. Doddie