My son has debilitating diseases, disorders, and other risk factors due to his morbid obesity. This includes extremely high-blood pressure that could give him a stroke and extremely high cholesterol. He needs to have Gastric-Bypass surgery. However, his insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield) will not cover the surgery which I think is stupid because it would greatly reduce his health risks. Other insurance agencies I have checked with also will not cover the surgery. However, when I do research on Bariatric surgery, I always see a section that mentions Insurance Agencies that helped pay for it. He has tried to lose weight and to no avail. His life is in danger and heart attacks run on both sides of his family. How could he pay for this? Please help.
2006-09-19 15:27:00 · 5 answers · asked by emailjudyjackson 1 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Listen, I really appreciate everyone's "knowledge" but I could really use an actual answer to my question. The family has already decided to proceed with the surgery as soon as we figure out the cost and how to pay for it. Please do not give me any other information besides "how to pay for" the surgery or how most people USUALLY pay for the surgery. If all you have is red tape, keep your response to yourself. What we need is HELP. Perhaps a company that gives loans for surgery? Perhaps some type of payment plan? You know, help?
2006-09-19 16:29:54 · update #1
Gastric Bypass Surgery /gastrectomy/stomach stapling / lap band (all types of bariatric surgery) is very safe nowadays. It is very cheap in India. There is one company that is very famous in India that arranges obesity surgery for foreigners in India. They are called the Forerunners Healthcare. I read a lot about them in the Newspapers and about their patient stories.
I have also read that they arrange financing for American and Canadian patients, as obesity surgery is not covered by insurance. They also have photos pasted of their International patients. You can checkout their website. The cost savings are incredible. As a doctor i personally believe that your obesity surgery can be easily handled in India, as the quality of healthcare available here is simply best in the world. The surgeons are USA/UK trained and facilities are 5 star.
My cousin got her surgery for gastric bypass in India through the forerunners healthcare .She is more than very happy with the results. She has lost 65lbs in 5 months. She just paid 25% of the amount she was quoted in USA and is all praise for this forerunners healthcare company. Hope this helps.
http://www.forerunnershealthcare.com
2006-09-19 18:08:20 · answer #1 · answered by joe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different doctors and clinics that perform this kind of surgery are usually the best reference for what insurance will be accepted. But you will probably have a very hard time getting insurance for him with a company that would cover this surgery as it's a pre-existing condition and therefore excluded from most insurance policies. He'd have to wait somewhere between 12-60 months depending on the policy before the company would consider paying for the surgery and even then it's iffy; insurance companies all have clauses that say "if you have a particular problem within this probationary 12-60 month period, we don't cover it because you had the condition before you had the insurance." With that kind of time between when you bought the policy and when he might possibly be considered eligible, he might as well just learn to eat right and exercise. And before you even consider paying for this surgery out of your pocket... he will have to learn how to eat right and exercise anyway or he will regain all that weight over time after he has the surgery and loses it. If he's gonna eat right and exercise, he might as well start now and lose that weight the old-fashioned (and healthy) way.
PS the health risks of having that surgery are pretty huge, too, especially the follow-up surgeries to remove the loose/hanging skin. So you really should not think of gastric bypass as the magic bullet because it isn't.
2006-09-19 15:38:03 · answer #2 · answered by dcgirl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Insurance Agencies SELL insurance policies for Insurance Compqanies. They don't pay bills for people.
The majority of health care insurance compaies (like Blue Cross/Blue Shield) have limitations on pre-existing conditions.
From what you have said, I doubt your son would qualify for coverage from any other company.
In the unlikely event you could even find a company that pays for gastric bypass surgery, and that would insure him, you would have at least a 12 month waiting period, maybe 2 years.
I would think your best bet would be to see if Medicaid would help.
Ask the social worker at the clinic or hospital.
2006-09-19 15:39:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,
I understand your frustration with the answers you are receiving, but please understand that there is nothing out there that will answer your question... I have done research on this topic for quiet many years, and you can either get a loan from a bank or pay for yourself. There is no institution, nor agency that finances this.
Another way is to do a public fund raiser like :
http://www.themorbidme.com/2006/09/morbidly_obese_.html
He was in local newspapers and is getting money in... so, organize yourself, and put the word out.. I can also hook you up in my blog and friends blogs...
Good luck !
2006-09-20 07:01:09 · answer #4 · answered by TheMorbidMe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No insurance company is going to cover a pre-existing condition.
Would you shop for an insurance company after having an auto accident in order to find someone to pay for the repairs to your car?
Your son's condition is documented in his medical records.
2006-09-19 15:36:13 · answer #5 · answered by Mark 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋