Beware of new Insurance regs.

FYI- Insurance companies are now trying to make it even harder for anybody to get approved for the surgery. The by-pass surgery is getting so popular it is costing them tons of money. The Insurance industry frowns on spending money on anything especially an elective surgery.

For this reason, is why we all need to write our state representatives and tell them that they need legislation and laws stating that insurance companies must pay for these surgeries. Dr Aranow (here in CT) has spearheaded this. Has gone before the state reps, etc and lobbied for such...only to be turned away until "next time." Write him an email or call his office in Middletown, and tell him that you'd be interested in getting involved for the cause. (if you're in CT) What miffs me is, in the long run, after the ins company pays out the major "chunk" of $$$ for the surgery, they don't have to pay for all of the medications that the now "thinner" person has to take because their co-morbidities have gone away...or, have to pay for a bypass or heart surgery for it's gotten better...or dialysis for years and years cause the diabetes has gone away...and on and on and on. Their (the ins co's) thinking is for the bottom line and $$$, not always for the welfare of the patient. It's a huge viscious circle that needs to be stopped. I thank God that my insurance believes in this surgery, for, I've already saved them thousands and thousands of dollars in doctor visits, medications and testing...my co-morbidities are all gone and I feel great with little or no chance for disease caused by obesity in the future. Thanks for the info. Paula