Expert: Karla K. - 7/8/2008

Question
I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO LOSS WEIGHT AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY RESULT. THIS HAS BEEN FOR A LONG TIME, NOW I HAVE HEALTH PROBLEM AND TAKE A LOT OF MEDS A DAY. HOW DO YOU THING I CAN RECEIVED ANY HELP SO I CAN PAY FOR MY BYPASS SURGERY? WHEN MY INSURANCE DENIED EVEN WHEN MY PRIMARY DOCTOR SAID IT WAS NECESSARY FOR IMPROVING MY HEALTH. PLEASE HELP ME! I LIVE IN THE PHOENIX AREA. THANKS!!!

Answer
Hi Maria:

You can appeal your insurance's decision, as long as they don't have an exclusion for bariatric surgery.  If they do exclude bariatric surgery, you could consider getting a part-time job with Starbucks.  As long as you work 20 hours/week for three months, you're eligible for health insurance.  They use Aetna which covers the Roux-en-Y, Duodenal Switch, and Lap-Band.  You could also see if you company has an open period where you could switch insurance.  Usually that occurs in November... just ask somebody in HR.

One other option would be to apply for a loan to cover the surgery as a self-pay.  You can have a Roux-en-Y done for about $12,000 in Mexico with some great docs.  In the States, you're probably looking at closer to $20,000 for self-pay.

Good luck!
Karla