[My2Giants]

I just really need to vent. My son is a truck driver and over the last few years he has put on some weight. He knows he needs to lose the extra weight and he is trying to do so. He is 6' 4" and weights 318 pounds.

He recently was offered insurance through the company he works for and the insurance company denied coverage due to his Height/Weight. That is exactly what it says "coverage denied due to Height/Weight".

Now I am sorry but he is only 23 years old, it is not like he has been over wieght all his life. But since he is now considered obese he is not elligble for health coverage. This is a crock if you ask me. What has our health care come too? Pretty soon insurance companies will be dropping those from their policys due to being overweight.

I am just so overwhelmed by this! What is my son to do now? He is trying to lose the weight, he is a wonderful young man, trying to make an honest living but is unable to get healthcare coverage.

I wish I had all the money in world so no one would ever have to be turned down for the healthcare that they deserve. I am so saddened to think that he may have to go the rest of his life without insurance.

What is a mother to do! Sad, Sad, day.

[flowerchildnc]

My friend was denied coverage for the very same reason and ended up having to pay over $700 a month just for herself. If he can get a job with the state or government they would cover him no matter what his conditions were. It is very frustrating.

[Sensoria17]

I thought you couldn't be denied insurance if you are going through a group plan? If this is not the case, then wouldn't we have even more people without health insurance?

[bluesnurse]

Originally Posted by nd_mom

I wish I had all the money in world so no one would ever have to be turned down for the healthcare that they deserve. I am so saddened to think that he may have to go the rest of his life without insurance.

What is a mother to do! Sad, Sad, day.

I'm sorry you and your son are going through this.

What can the two of you do? In the short run, probably not much. But November is coming. Make sure you both VOTE for someone who CAN and WILL do something about it!!!!

[TheCommuter]

My parents tried to purchase private health insurance, and were denied because they are diabetics. Apparently, the insurance company felt they would be paying out too much money in claims for the policy to ever be profitable or 'economically viable.' Diabetics do accrue significant medical costs, but...

When I purchased private health insurance 3 years ago, there was a stipulation regarding the weight of the policyholder. This insurance company would not issue policies to males who weighed in excess of 300 pounds, or females who weighed in excess of 200 pounds.

The insurance industry is all about boosting the profit margin, and nothing about caring for humankind. Anyone who dares to think differently about them is simply being gullible and foolish.

[julesradio]

This very thing was highlighted in Michael Moore's Sicko...they even denied insurance to someone in the movie they deemed too SKINNY. WHA??!?!!?

Truly sad, I'm sorry for your plight.

[mrsraisinkain]

My husband had gastric bypass surgery through his previous company's group health insurance. It's a long story but now he still works for the same company but with no benefits (anybody familiar with the mess of General Motors?). We were searching for individual policies for our family and every company was denying him due to having the surgery. One agent told me he was so-called "blacklisted" for 5 years post surgery. It's such a shame and doesn't make sense because now he is in the best health of his life.

[My2Giants]

The company my son works for offers insurance, but it is not a group policy. The company will pay 175.00 towards the premium. Of course this doesnt do my son any good since they will not cover him.

Thank you so much to all of you who have replied. The support means so much more than you know.

I just wish there was something I could do!

Maybe someday our goverment will wisen up and mandate healthcare coverage for everyone.

[My2Giants]

Originally Posted by mrsraisinkain

My husband had gastric bypass surgery through his previous company's group health insurance. It's a long story but now he still works for the same company but with no benefits (anybody familiar with the mess of General Motors?). We were searching for individual policies for our family and every company was denying him due to having the surgery. One agent told me he was so-called "blacklisted" for 5 years post surgery. It's such a shame and doesn't make sense because now he is in the best health of his life.

This is just outrageous!!! Where do these insurance companies get the idea that one life is better than another. "Oh your to fat and not worth the money it would take to keep you healthy". I am just so appalled and sickened by all of this.

I wish the best of health to your husband and you also.

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by nd_mom

Where do these insurance companies get the idea that one life is better than another.

It's not about one life being better than another.

It's about one life being more profitable than another!