Remember the other day when I woke up at peace because I knew this is what I wanted to do?
Well....that peace is gone now.
Last night I looked up my insurance plan and found out that they don't cover any weight loss surgery or non surgery procedures or plans.
*steps on a soapbox doing her best Kanye impression* UNITED HEALTHCARE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT FAT PEOPLE!
I went to bed feeling hopeless and lost. If this wasn't meant to be then what will I do now? I'm so lost and confused.
I woke up this morning to go meet this new primary doctor I picked out. On my way there I called my insurance just to make sure. They said it wasn't covered. I asked if it was United or just my particular plan. She said they normally don't cover weight loss stuff BUT if the doctor made a case for me and said it was medically necessary they might make an exception. Basically she gave me an inkling of hope. I'll take it!!
So I went in for my doctor apt. Got blood work, pee test, yadda yadda. She asks me, why are you here? I said I need a new primary and I want Lap Band surgery and I don't know if I need a primary to help me get approved. She was cool and she agreed that I should get surgery. She said look, just write up a letter saying all the diff ways you've tried to lose weight (she told me I should exaggerate but honestly i don't need to lol) and I'll sign it. So that was cool. She gave me a list of specialist in the area and circled one of the surgeons on the list and said he does gastric bypass but call and see if he does lap band. Whatever you want to get, its your decision. Which of course I appreciated. And it turns out the guy she circled is one of the guys from the info session I went to yesterday. So its a good sign because now I know the guy I wanted was recommended by another doctor.
On my way home I got a call from the surgeon's office. I had left them a message earlier. She apologized about the information seminar, she said it took place in another location. She said there was another one next Thursday at the Hospital by my place. I was like ok sign me up. I asked if there was any way i could have a consultation with a surgeon before then but she said the seminars were mandatory so I was like ok i'll just wait. Ugh I hate that I have to wait another week! But its better than waiting another month. I also told her the situation with the insurance. She told me that she's seen this before and they usually end up not covering the surgery. But I figure, what do I have to lose? Its worth a shot.
So where am I right now? Don't know. I mean...look, if insurance doesn't cover it, it just isn't gonna happen. Last night I was so lost. It makes so much sense...get the band...finally lose the weight..be healthy and have a healthy pregnancy. But if that doesn't happen what do I do? I mean honestly....what? I don't know....I guess I'll just try for a baby. But I don't want that to be my plan b, my afterthought. I want to get pregnant when its my main goal. sigh...
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I hear ya, girlfriend. Insurance companies are all about covering the aftermath, not the prevention. They will happily pay for your quadruple heart bypass, your diabetic coma, your kidney dialysis, your stroke from high blood pressure; but not one skinny dime for a lap band that could prevent all of that. I am now diabetic and on meds for that and high blood pressure (and I also have PCOS) and am struggling to lose the weight that can save my life without any help from health providers because my insurance couldn't care less.
ReplyDeleteBut, you never know what may happen; keep going and pester the bejezus out of them. It's awesome that you found a doctor that is willing to help you get what you need. I'm cheering for you!
thank you heather. i'm heartbroken that so many people have no help from those evil insurance company. you know for a while my husband's company had no insurance and we looked into getting our own insurance but they refused to cover me because of my weight. discriminate much?
ReplyDeletei hope that things work out and i wish you all the luck in the world. doing it yourself is not impossible. its just like going up on a downmoving escalator. are you on metformin? i've found that if i work out the weight comes off easier than if i worked out without the metformin.