Now I'm too fat to get new insurance.

[christie]

I just got denied by Aetna because I have a lap band AND my BMI is still too high. I guess they expected that I lose all my extra weight in one year. Since I'm "only" down 50 pounds and my BMI is still about 35, I'm too fat to insure. I HATE the insurance industry and anyone who doesn't think we need reform is either independently wealthy and/or has their head in the sand. My high blood pressure is gone. I never received treatment for knee arthritis because surprisingly, losing 50 pounds takes a lot of stress off your knees! I self-paid for the Lap Band, which was really hard on us last year. I was honest with the insurance company about it, and this is my repayment.

Now I have to be insured with people who have cancer, cerebral palzy, schizophrenia, alcoholism, malignant tumors, strokes, major depression disorder, and other "major-major illnesses." Being fat is a major illness now.

For those of you who have met me, you know I can run circles around most skinny people. Its infuriating to me. And humiliating. Plus even though I don't "use" my insurance, we pay really high premiums because of my "condition." I'm bringing my poor family to financial ruin. So frustrating.

I guess I'll get my payment for my honesty in heaven, right? Because on earth, not fitting in to the "norm" is not working for me.

[momsquid4u]

Christie I am sorry the insurance is being a butt.......... You know they love taking our money and then don't do what they are suppose to do at all. I get so mad sometimes as to why keep paying them! I for one am lucky that we are retired navy and have insurance for life with them but at my hubby job now we didn't take the insurance they offer because of how much it cost and how little they paid out for office visit and then they would tell you how many visit you are allowed a year........ why waste the money........... I am not going to let any insurance tell me when I can see a dr or for what reason..... Its my body not thiers!!!! JMO

[Sprinkz09]

Wow, I am so sorry to hear that. Now, being 'fat' is NOT an Illness- its just a way of life. Thats something u can change, as for cancer, skitzo, ect... thats an illness. WTH is up with them?! Is there like someone else you can talk to? Like maybe the head of Aetna? Iono... i feel bad because thats crazy- charging you crazy money for something like that.
And BTW, 50lbs a yr is great! A lb a week- you lost it healthy!
Hope it all works out for you hun..

[happy]

Oh Christie my heart just breaks for you sweetie.
I will pray that all of this insurance mess will work out for you. Keep your chin up and let God handle it.OK

[Firedoc19]

Christie - I am so sorry for what you are going through. I will tell you that I work in the financial side of healthcare and always check with your local hospital for their financial assistance plans. To be a non-profit hospital the government requires that you give so much healthcare away. In most cases you can work, have insurance and still qualify so that anything that your insurance would not pay, you would not be required to do so either or at least you would get a percentage off. Please do not think you don't need or want help, that is what it is there for. Our hospital is a small rural hospital and our policies are still incredibly liberal. Please check into it.

Gale

[chrispygal]

Unbelievable Christie! I'm happy I live in MA. Our state has requirements that we cannot be denied for pre-existing conditions. I realize a lot of the other states in the country do not. Good luck, and don't be afraid to fight them!

[gregken77]

Insurance companies just flat out suck. Every last one of them. Its all about money. They dont really care about providing care to anyone who needs it. You were denied because they knew you would actually be filing insurance claims with them. Well thats what insurance is suppose to be for right? Anyway getting denied for that makes you want to set fire to the main operations headquarter or something huh! Sorry to hear your bad news.

[Stitchy]

Here's my 2 cents on health reform. How about those folks that cry out "I don't want anything between me and my doctor?" That problems exists right now ... right Christie?

My latest experience was this. DH has developed severe shoulder pain. Went to the doctor and got a prescription and then went to the pharmacy. Pharmacy told him that the insurance wouldn't allow them to fill it until they received a fax from the doctor's office stating that they had tried other forms of treatment. It was late Friday afternoon. Doctor's office was closed not to reopen until Monday morning.

And what was the hullabaloo about? A one time only non-refillable order for vicodin. Cost before insurance would be $27. (I didn't know this at the time or I would have just paid for it out of pocket). If that isn't the insurance industry getting between me and my doctor, I don't know what is.