Hi everyone;

I am working on plan B ..since I was turned down by BCBS Illinois. I was wondering, has anyone maybe found a private insurance that is ok with pre-existing conditions, that might cover Lap band?..just a thought..grasping here....

thanks

cathy

BMI 52

wt 333 lbs...

goal 160 lbs

trying and waiting.....

Cathy, every state has different rules regulating insurance. The first place to check for your options is your state's insurance department. Here in NJ, for example, if you're even eligible for group insurance you simply are not eligible for insurance purchased as an individual, period. (While that sounds bad, the flip side is that if you are NOT eligible for group insurance, you cannot be turned down for individual coverage, medical conditions or no. So there's a good side.)

So we can't possibly advise on what your options might be with regard to changing policies. But sure, it's always possible that another carrier might look at banding differently than BCBS IL does, so if you're eligible for some other policy through your employer definitely check it out.

Are there any known insurance companies that have historically been more band-friendly than others?

And have you appealed BCBS? There is a web-site for help on that: www.obesitylaw.com. It might be worth fighting a little more with the insurance you have, rather than starting over with a new company.

Are there any known insurance companies that have historically been more band-friendly than others?

United Healthcare, on a corporate level, has a good track record in this regard. And any plan that is a PPO/indemnity plan is much more likely to pay for the procedure (as long as it's medically necessary) than the managed-care type of plans (HMO/POS). But really, all bets are off because there are so many local variables.

I dont know about your state, or if it is national, but if you have had coverage I think it is for the past 12 months with no breaks more than 30 days, there is not supposed to be any Pre-existing coverage.... Might want to double check on that, I cant remember if that is part of the Hippa or just a FL thing

But I would try the appeal first of course