Oct 2007 I had bariatric surgery - BPD stage 1 - I lost the maximum amount of weight I could hope to. This year I decided to go in for stage 2 in order to get to a healthy weight. I chose a different surgeon as this one is nearer & more convenient. Started the process in February and 12 days before my op date was informed I had been declined!
The email I received stated (and I quote)
Discovery Health does not fund:
o Jejuno-ileall bypass surgery (JIB)
o Reversal, revision or re-do of any bariatric/weight loss surgery (irrespective of whether the procedure was funded by Discovery or elsewhere)
The member has had the surgery but this was not authorised by discovery health.
IT IS NONE OF THESE - IT IS STAGE 2 BPD.
DISCOVERY HAD ONLY JUST STARTED PAYING & I WAS ON A DIFFERENT MED AID - I PAID PRIVATELY!!
Pre op my surgeon assured me Discovery pay for 2nd Stage BPD - when declined I was told that if I had stayed with the same surgeon I would probably have been approved!! They frequently have patients approved for 2nd stage 18mnths or more later.
I got declined cause I paid for my first op & changed surgeons!!
Talk about discrimination!!
PS I now have a prolapsed & Ruptured disc!!
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