Anthem

Hello all, does anyone know the REAL deal with Anthem? Is all WLS excluded after 1/1/05? Thanks, Patty

Hi Patty. I know my Anthem is still covering it after the 1st but only if medically needed. It all depends on your company if they wish to continue the coverage or not. You need to call and ask about your policy directly. Hope that helps. Heidi

Thanks Heidi! I know that I am medically needed...I have an auth # and everything...However, a rep at Anthem told me it is an exclusion after 1/1 for all of Anthem...Another one had another story etc..So I just don't know...Thanks!

It depends on the contract your workplace has with Anthem and when the open enrollment period is for your company. Surgeries are still being approved into 2005...I happen to be one of them. I do know that for upcoming approvals they intend to raise the bar a bit higher...it is enough to make one as nervous as a cat in a roomful of rocking chairs.... My secret fear is that even though they have approved me, they are going to renig on it when the time comes...call me paranoid...but even my surgeon's office says they are going to call on the day of surgery to make sure I am approved... Of course they will send a letter to the aurgeon's office and I hear once they send the letter they pretty well much have to honor it. The "insurance stuff" ALWAYS gets my anxiety level increased! Good luck! My Doc says for every phone rep you ask,,you will get a different story...helpful...is it not? Sher'

Thanks, Sher! I have an approval letter..I wonder if it will be okay? Open enrollment is now, my policy renews 1/1...I guess I'll call on Monday and see what they say?? Thanks, Patty

I sure will keep my fingers crossed for you...PLEASE post again and let us know how it has turned out! Happy New Year! Sher'

I have Anthem and from what I was told, any surgeries related to obesity would not be covered in 2005. So I got mine done on 12/23 just in time. Good Luck with this

HI GUYS, I HAVE ANTHEM EFFECTIVE TODAY.I AM FREAKING OUT. I EMAILED ANTHEM AND THEY SAID WLS IS NOT BEING COVERED. I REFUSE TO ACCEPT IT FOR SOME REASON.ANYWAY I HAVE TO OTHER INSURANCES. ONE OF THEM SHOULD PICK IT UP. I HOPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO ATHINK ANYMOR. THIS INSURANCE STUFF IS THE WORST. BUT I BELIEVE THAT IF IT IS MEANT TO BE IT WILL BE.THE LORD KNOW THAT I NEED THIS. I WANT TO SEE MY SONS GROW UP. WELL ENOUGH RAMBLINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. HAPPY NEW YEAR