Hi. I am new to the site and fairly new to the lap band idea. I have been approved by my insurance to get the band once I completed their requirements...and was to be there in less than two months...and just found out that my husband's company is changing eff July 1st from Cigna to United Healthcare. VERY FRUSTRATING!!!! Can't get an a direct yes or no that United Healthcare will pay for the surgery. My BMI is 50 and I have some medical issues...but overall not as bad as it could be. So, any words of encouragement or experience would be well received and appreciated. I am determined to get it done even if I have to pay out of my back pocket. I am a nurse in Central Texas and I am happily married with a wonderful husband and a beautiful 4 1/2 yr old son. I am hoping to learn more and more about experiences...some bad and some good, right!? So, I look forward to talking with everyone soon.

What part of Central Texas are you from? I am from Waco and work as a Pediatric nurse at Hillcrest.

My BMI is less than 40, but I do have some developing health issues. My insurance wouldn't cover my surgery bc I wanted to go out-of-network, so I am self-paying. I borrowed against my 401k to fund my surgery. I will be banded Monday (june 30th) in Plano. I am going through TLCEdge in Plano. The people are super nice and have been so patient with me with all my questions and frequent changes in scheduling my appointments. The cost is $11,990, which includes all surgically related fees, ekg, labs, and 6 months of aftercare and fills. If you do end up having to pay yourself. Get some of your testing done through your family physician so your insurance can pay, lessening the amount you will owe in the end.

For most insurance companies, you should qualify, unless the employer excludes it from your policy.

I hope you get it all worked out.

Sincerely,

Stephanie

Hi Sephanie! Thank you for the idea of the 401K. I hadn't even thought about looking into that. I live in Georgetown and I work for an ltach here in Austin as a Clinical Nurse Liaison. I have actually eval'd pts at Hillcrest many times to come to our ltach in Austin. I worked Peds a long time ago...lots of patience and skill needed!!!:biggrin2: Congratulations on your being banded June 30th...this Monday!!! That is awesome! I have been going through True Results Weight Loss Center here in Austin, but I am thinking that they may not be the cheapest is I have to self pay but I really like their program. They have their own surgery center in San Antonio. From what I learned today it appears it will be about $15k for the surgery, one year of after care and fills. So...I am really hoping that somehow someway United Healthcare will pay for part of it. My advocate at True Results said that United Healthcare is usually easier than Cigna, so once we get the new insurance info I guess I will find out for sure!! I am also checking with Cigna to see if I can self pay for our continuation of some similar policy that will pay for the surgery on our own. Well, enjoy this weekend, and best of luck on Monday. Let me know how awesome you are doing when you have a chance to. Great meeting you, and I look forward to talking with you soon.

Leah