Through my dad's work I still have Principal Financial Group, and will be getting my own coverage with the same Providence Preferred plan. They do not exclude all weight loss surgery, but becoming approved could take 6mo or longer. This is the information they need in order to consider approving me:

Age

CPT Code from dr./surgeon and his fee.

Patiant History of Morbid Obesity/ Document Medical History of Failure to Substain Weight Loss

6/12mo supervision by family health care practitioner and nutritionist. Nutritionist visit once a month. Family health care physician visit once every three months to review results of 6month.

Opperative risk evaluation by surgeon.

Reviewed by a licensed mental healthcare provider (to be deemed mentally fit for surgery)

Arrange two-year follow-up strategy plan to maintain weight loss.

So if I get started now it could take six months to a year to be possibly eligable for the surgery. But if I am it could cut more than 5k off the overall bill.

So what do you guys think? Worth it? Similar stories? Anyone with Principal or similar coverage?

Actually, to be fair, it could cut more than 5k off the overall cost IF, and it's a big if, I get accepted. Not only because subsequent complication costs would be 93% covered, but because I could afford to go to a surgeon in town (out-of-pocket would be 17k or more) instead of going to someone hours away much less in Mexico.

For reference I am 23 (24 next month), 5'5" and 250lbs. I've been exercising and dieting for the last couple years, although I've never had my weight loss by a doctor/nutritionist.