As yet, my insurance Health Alliance doen't cover the Lap band. Are there insurance companies out there that didn't cover the band but are covering it now? I was just curious if Health Alliance is slow coming around or if all insurance companies are slow coming around? What's the popular concensus...are more and more insurance companies covering it or are they all holding out?

I'm kind of shocked that "nobody" has an opinion on this!!

I have medicare and everything went through the first time. I didn' have to be approved before hand. I quess I was one of the lucky ones. I was ready to fight but didn't need to. If I were you I would fight and tell them how much better the lap-band is.

My insurance does not cover the band yet, but Blue Cross is covering the band in other parts of the U.S. . I self payed, was not going to fight with them , I'd still be fighting and appealing, Iam 19 lbs from goal weight 11 months later

i don't have an issue with self-pay. It's not the 14 to 18 thousand that bothers me. I'm 5'7" and weigh 400 lbs with sleep apnea. what if something happens on an uncovered insurance procedure? I don't think I could afford that! Right now, I'm being patient...hoping that it will be covered someday soon. In the meantime, I go to the club 5 days a week. I swim 2/3 of a mile 3 days a week and the other 2 days I lift for 20 minutes and then swim for 1/3 of a mile. I'm feeling better than I have in years and I'm 39 years young. I'm also eating better, unfortunately, I have a "HUGE" appetite. I try to curb it but we all know how hard that is to do all the time. I have faith that the lap-band is what I need and I'll be getting one soon. I haven't given up hope!!!