My doctor recently suggested my getting the Lap band surgery. I've never really considered it a possibility for me because we are very low income and I don't think we could afford it. We have Aetna insurance. I was wondering if anyone has had it, what they think about it, and if insurance covered it. Who would I call to find out if I could be covered. Also, we have qualified for financial aid for other doctor's bills. Do you think I could qualify for the remaining after insurance to be covered by the hospital?
Any info would be helpful.
I have Aetna too and recently inquired about it's coverage for either the lap band or the gastric bypass. I was told that my particular plan did not cover it so the best you could do is call Aenta and ask. :)
Good Luck!
Aetna provides the insurance coverage at my place of employment and I know two women that both had this procedure. To qualify though you must have some serious health concerns. You must be at least 100lbs overweight and have at least one other co-morbidity related to excess weight including diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea...
Now, our Aetna plan was EPO, where the insured pays a copay, and I'm not sure how Aetna plans differ from one company to another..
I know that excess weight can be a huge factor in poor health, but the surgery can be life threatening in itself. Please consider your options very carefully before proceeding. You have two small children who need their mother...
It's a tough choice, being seriously obese can be a fatality in itself....
Make the decision that is best for you and your family with help from your doctor....but it won't be an easy path..
To qualify for the surgery you and your family members have to under go counseling of all sorts....
If you are not seriously overweight, and don't have weight gaining conditions such as thyroid problems, I'd seriously consider a healthy diet and exercise before something as drastic as this surgery....
Best of luck.
Many many many insurance companies WILL NOT pay for this procedure. I have know a few people that have gotten it paid for because of severe medical complications from excess weight. The few that I know were like 150+ lbs overweight and had serious health issues because of it. If your doctor thinks its something that is 100% needed its could potentially be something you could get partially covered.
I've considered this procedure too...here's the website, I found it to be very informative.
I called my insurance earlier this week and just asked the customer support person if it was covered...mine does not cover it and I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, but I have a friend who has different insurance and his will cover 80%.
