Turns out being obese screws me in more ways than I thought.
What am I talking about? I’m talking about my inability to get private health insurance because my BMI says I am obese.
This “pre-existing health condition” prevents me from getting private health insurance, which I now need since I’m part time at work and do not have health insurance.
Damn, thats bad news.
It doesn’t seem to matter that I work out at least 3 times a week and have done so for about four years (with the occasional week of skipping).
It doesn’t seem to matter that I eat healthier than most of the people I know.
It doesn’t seem to matter that I have no health conditions. I dont have high blood pressure, I dont’ have high cholesterol, I don’t have diabetes. I don’t have any of these things. I am actaully pretty healthy even if still very overweight (Still less than my highest weight ever).
None of these things matter to the health insurance company. To them I am just one big risk. Whether I’m losing weight or gaining it doesn’t matter – I’m not insurable.
Here is what Golden Rule said when they rejected me:
“We are unable to provide health coverage because your height and weight do not meet our guidelines.”
THATS IT. They might as well have said, “We don’t insure fat people.” That would have worked too.
Its not even like I was expecting normal health insurance. I know my weight is too high and was prepared to pay more for insurance. Its not like I didn’t want to pay for it. But I was completely rejected for coverage. Ouch.
So now I am left to myself – uninsurable because I weight too much. Just hope I don’t get hurt before I either lose a ton of weight or get a full time job with health insurance, because that would suck.
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{ 19 comments }
Oh gosh, that is horrible. I guess I won’t be able to get it either then. It’s hard being without health insurance that’s for sure.
Angie (Losing It and Loving It)’s last blog post..Cardio Machines: Do you read while working out?
I had short-term coverage from Humana a few years ago and the policy didn’t ask for my weight. Maybe you can just try more shopping around? Good luck!
krissie’s last blog post..’cause I won’t remember
@Krissie
I will check that out. I definitely have to look around further but so far I’ve been shot down twice. Awesome. I wish I could find a full time job and make it easier.
That sucks =/
In N.Z. health insurance isn’t too big of a worry as most essential surgery is subsidised. It’s only really if you want private healthcare that you get insurance.
I hope you’re able to work something out.
FLG’s last blog post..The Smell of Burnt Flesh
Here’s what I’d really like to know: Do they also refuse to insure underweight people? Presumably those folks don’t meet the healthy BMI restrictions either.
I’m really sorry you have to deal with this BS!
Hilary’s last blog post..Quitting Weight Watchers and Trusting Myself
@ FLG
Thats it! I’m coming to NZ! Honestly though, that is such a better system. The American health care system screws over a lot of people.
@ Hilary
You would think so, but I highly doubt it.
Wow! That sucks! I am sorry you are going through that.
Fraud, old age, and obesity and are the three things that drive up insurance rates. So in order to limit their liability, insurance companies are cracking down.
I hope you are able to get some insurance soon.
Irene’s last blog post..Weigh-In For Week 9
I can’t believe that’s even legal. It makes me so mad. Here’s hoping that we get some Healthcare reform up in here soon. Good luck finding some Healthcare…I’m also one of the uninsured masses, so please keep us informed on your search, I’d love to find affordable Healthcare so I can finally go to the doctor >.<
I had the same problem when I tried to get life insurance a few years ago. My health insurance is actually just a hospital plan for in-hospital expenses.
All the more incentive to get thin AND get healthy!
Hanlie’s last blog post..Sweet Lies, Bitter Truth
This is tough. Even though there are definately cons of my husband being in the military, unconditional health insurance is the biggest perk. If I had to shop around on my own, I am sure I would find the same challenges.
By the way, found your through Krissie’s Questionsfordessert.com . Hope you don’t mind me following along.
Danielle’s last blog post..Weight Update
Girl, I feel your pain. I’ve been denied in the past…and currently my husband is still being denied. (neither of us has health insurance at the time because of these denials).
In the meantime…keep up the good work, you are doing your body good by losing!
MaryFran’s last blog post..Crazy Crazy girl that I am!
That’s just not right. Keeping my fingers crossed you are able to lose the weight, find a full time job (if that’s what you want) and not find yourself in a situation where you need insurance, until you have some.
BIgGirl’s last blog post..Happy Anniversary
That seems so wrong. The BMI leaves so much to be desired… my super active crazily athletic friend is technically obese but to look at her she’s clearly all muscle, so its stupid to place so much reliance on the BMI. Plus that’s blatant discrimination! Grr.
Sagan’s last blog post..Poll: The Milk Debate
Scary. This bodes not good for the future…
Merry’s last blog post..Can Money Buy Happiness?
@Irene
Yeah, I know those things make rates higher. I hate that insurance companies are cracking down so hard though. I am willing to pay more.. sheesh.
@Meg
I’m hoping that something changes in this country with the new administration because this just isn’t fair to want to be insured and not be able to. I will keep looking and keep you informed on what I find.
@Hanlie
True it sucks, but it is another reason to get healthy. Since I found out I was rejected I have been sooo much better about being healthy.
@Danielle
I’m glad you have that unconditional coverage. That is a really good thing.
And thanks for stopping by! I would be overjoyed if you follow my journey!
@MaryFran
I hate that you guys are both being denied! That shouldn’t happen to people who want health insurance! Grrr! thanks for the encouragement though, you keep it up too!
@BIgGirl
Thanks. I hope this will all work out for the best.
@Sagan
I agree, the BMI is blatantly flawed. Sure its good for quick measurements, but its not perfect. I wish they didn’t just reject people based on this. I guess I could appeal and try to have them look at my lifestyle and show that I’m losing weight, but that seems like so much work if they will just reject me again.
I was recently denied for benign ovarian cysts that ummm I don’t know…. 75% of women have. They are benign. Had my doc write a note for an appeal and all I got was…
“we reserve the right to deny coverage blah blah blah”
In the meantime not only did they deny me, they denied my 3 year old.
The system sucks. Sorry you needed to deal with this.
Roni’s last blog post..Thursday Thoughts
Im sorry, that absolutely sucks and definitely is not fair. especially considering most of the us is considered overweight in bmi standards, you would think these companies would realize that they need to change some of their qualifications.
Heather’s last blog post..Games
@Roni
Wow, that sucks Roni. The system is really unfair sometimes.
I recently received the same letter from United Health Care. My BMI is in the obese range but only 30 pounds. 30 POUNDS!! That’s not alot actually. I don’t think this is fair because the same insurance company insured me while I was with my employer but now because I am with a company that does not offer insurance I am denied. I was hoping to lose weight now I have to, or else I will have no health insurance! This is definately not fair. I understand their viewpoint, overweight people have a higher likelyhood of diseases, but so do some ethnicities. Black and Hispanic women have a higher chance of kidney and heart failure and breast cancer. But they don’t get denied simply because of the color of their skin. Not only is society telling me to be thin, but now so is my insurance company.