Question:
I just joined my job`s insurence, How long until I can apply for surgery?
hi all i really need your knowlledge i just joined my job`s insurence carrier i`m so new i haven`t even got my cards yet any way i want to know do you think there will be a problem with me being able to get the surgery done? i still have to pick a pcp and my carrier is bc/bs care first so let me know what you think thanks and i would love to hear from some one who was in the same boat. — rochele1970 (posted on March 9, 2002)
March 9, 2002
So much depends on which state you live in. Some states can hold
"pre-existing conditions" against you. Some can't. I live in
Maine, and in this state, obesity cannot be considered a pre-existing
condition. Even in states that allow pre-existing conditions to be held
against you have a maximum 1-year waiting period. If your surgeon's office
is anywhere near as busy as mine, you may have to wait that long before
your surgery anyway! Good luck--
— Terissa R.
March 9, 2002
Hi, like you I was new with my insurance, as a matter of a fact, I had
insurance coverage through PEIA on July 1st and my first consult was July
20th, and by Aug 14th I was approved. But the main thing that helped me
was that I was previously insured. And had been for many years. So if
your situation is similiar to mine, at least you know you have a MAYBE. I
was really surprise that I got approved my first time around and didn't
have to appeal and appeal and then appeal some more. lol. I have a great
isurance I guess. But hopefully you do too. Good Luck hon, and God speed
and God bless. Open RNY 10/4-73lbs!!!!!
— TONYA B.
March 9, 2002
I am with Kaiser Mid-Atlantic and (so far, fingers crossed) haven't had any
problems (will find out on 3/19 or so) BUT I have heard that people have
been denied because they haven't been under a Kaiser PCP for a year, among
other bizarre reasons (you know, the usual smoke screens), so I have been
sure to ask about things like that every step of the way. My advice -
research others who have used your ins. on this site, and see if there are
any funky little loopholes like that and...ASK! Best of luck ; )
— rebeccamayhew
March 9, 2002
Oops...I meant to add to my previous post that I started persuing WLS
almost immediately after my coverage began...
— rebeccamayhew
March 9, 2002
I changed insurance companies effective January 1st of this year. I went
on my first consult on 1/13 and had approval for the surgery within a week.
My surgery will be this coming Friday, March 15!
— Robby E.
March 9, 2002
I'm reasonably sure that there is a federal law that says if you have one
insurance and switch to another without being uninsured in between, the new
insurance can't enforce any pre-existing conditions clauses. It's
something like the Health Insurance Portability Act.
— garw
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