Almost one year ago Jill Calhoun was searching for financial help to get life saving bariatric surgery. She found the WLSFA and was instructed she must be refered to apply for a grant by her surgeon. The problem was Jill did not have a bariatric surgeon. Jill used social media to plead her case and to find a surgeon who might help her realize her dream of overcoming morbid obesity, a disease that kills thousands of Americans each year. Dr. Rachel Moore (@rachelmooremd) received a tweet from Jill and the rest is history. Dr. Moore referred Jill to the WLSFA grant program. In May of this year Jill was awarded a grant for weight loss surgery funded by donations from hundreds of fellow weight loss surgery patients, contributions from medical professionals and sponsorships from industry partners. Jill’s surgery was today June 8,2016.
“We are so honored to welcome Dr. Rachel Moore and Moore Metabolics into our Network of Care. Without the contribution of dedicated surgeons like Dr. Rachel Moore the WLSFA could not realize our mission to “Save Lives One Grant at a Time“ We ask all bariatric surgeon to consider referring their patients in need. Until the medical treatment of obesity is covered by all insurance policies, the WLSFA will continue to award grants to help those who have no access to the medical care they so desperately need.” ~ Antonia Namnath Founder and CEO of the WLSFA.
Bariatric Surgeon Dr. Rachel Moore
“Jill saw me online and knew that access to care for obesity treatment is one of my passions. We actually first connected on twitter where she sent me a direct message and asked if I would be willing to help her apply for a WLSFA grant. That initial effort and enthusiasm has continued through her preoperative evaluation. We are thrilled to help such a deserving young lady!”
” Millions of Louisianians do not have insurance coverage for any kind of obesity treatment (medical or surgical). I have been advocating for change in Baton Rouge both with legislators and insurers with no improvement yet. The WLSFA is a wonderful opportunity for me to help patients who could not otherwise receive treatment.” ~ Dr. Rachel Moore
Health reporter Meg Farris(@megfarrisWWL) of WWL TV in New Orleans paid a visit with Jill Calhoun just before surgery. We will post links to her story as it unfolds on WWL TV. They will be following Jill’s progress this year.
The Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is a 501( c ) 3 Charity
Contact us at info@wlsfa.org or call 415-234-9074 Monday – Friday 9 AM – 5 PM PS
Good afternoon. My name is Roberta Brown.
I stumbled across your website, while seaching for anything regarding bariatric surgery, that would give me information on how or if there is a way I can appeal my husband employee insurance plan, that does not cover Bariatric surgery, or if there was any financial assistance. My story is a unique one. Last year I went to see a Bariatric surgeon. I was told by the woman in the office, that does insurance verification, my insurance (Cigna) covers the procedure. I went through all the classes and procedures, had a scheduled surgery date, I believe it was December 17th, 2019, only to have Cigna insurance deny my claim / pre-authorization. Stating my insurance does not cover for this procedure. The office apologized to me, that they made an mistake. A mistake I found out 6 months later. My heart sunk. I was deeply saddened.
Please, please I am begging you, can you please help me. I saw my cardiologist yesterday, Dr. Bolo. And he said to me, try to see if there is anyway my insurance will make an exception in my case. That this procedure would save my life. But I knew it wouldn’t make any difference, as I already spoke with Cigna several times. Nothing changed.
Please have mercy on me, as I need your help.
Sincerely,
Roberta Brown