Will My insurence cover the lap band surgery?

Question

I'm 21 years old, 5'11, and about 300lbs...I have blue cross blue sheild western new york. I also live in westchester county, NY. where can i get more information about it? do you think it will cover it based on experience. Please, no answers about clensing diets. expericenced people a plus. thanks

Answer 1

It is not going to happen. Pay for it your self.

Answer 2

many insurance policies specifically exclude gastric bypass surgery and lapband surgery. there's only one way to find out for sure - review the coverage documents associated with your policy. i can't say for sure whether or not your policy allows it because every policy is different dependent on the company you work for or the providing insurer, etc.

even if the policy excludes this surgery, insurance companies will sometimes approve it. i have a friend whose policy prohibited gastric bypass surgery however her doctor was able to prove to them that this would be effective for her and reduce their healthcare costs for her.

if you decide you have to have lapband surgery even if your health insurance won't cover it, consider putting money in a healthcare reimbursement account . when you "pledge" your per paycheck amount before the account is effective, make sure you pledge the cost of the surgery. most healthcare reimbursement accounts will be 100% funded on the first day the healthcare reimbursement account is active and thus, you can pay for your surgery in cash and "finance" it over 12 months.

at your age and height, 300 pounds is overweight, but this weight does not seem like something you can't handle on your own. please consider diet, exercise and the like before you make a dramatic, costly and dangerous decision like lapband surgery.

Answer 3

Most health plans do not pay for weight loss surgery.

However, the only way to know for sure is for you to call BCBS member benefits and ask them.  If they do cover it -- there will be very strict guidelines that have to be met first.

Answer 4

You will have to read your policy.

Answer 5

Call your insurance or have your doctor's office call.  Most plans have very tough requirements, like 6 months of medically supervised weight loss programs that have failed before approving lap band.

Other plans are more accommodating.

Answer 6

Every plan is different.  Why don't you call them and ask?

Don't you think that might be the best way to get your answer?