Educational WLS Seminar, October 8th, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Dr. M. Williams speaking

Hello Everyone,

It's not to late to have WLS this year!  But you need to educate yourself on the different procedures to see which one would be right for you.

We are having an Educational WLS Seminar, October 8th, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Dr. Michael Williams will be speaking. 

Give me a call to register for the seminar at 770-751-2924.  The meeting will be held in the Bariatrics Department at North Fulton Regional Hospital.  3000 Hospital Boulevard, Roswell, GA 30076.

Have a wonderful day!

 

Ginger

 

Will there be any discussion of how to get insurance to pay?  The state of GA has an exclusion for all things dealing with weight loss written into their policy.

If there is an exclusion in the policy and your company has not picked up a rider, there really isn't anything you can do. 

I think it is such a shame that the State of GA does not provide this bennifit to their employees.  We are talking about teachers, bus driver, etc.  People who care for our children.  They need to be healthy!!!! 

I have told many people in seminars who work for the state to band together and write and call John Oxendine (GA Insurance Commission).  (See contact info below.)  This can be changed but you have to work hard and work together for it to happen.  WE ARE THE ONES WHO ELECT THE INSURANCE COMMISSION.  I know from first hand experience he and his office do listen and work for us. 

When I was denied for the redundant skin to be removed after my weight loss, I wrote his office everyday until he put an agent on my case.  Three days later I was approved for everything.  And my insurance was self insured. 


Good Luck,
Ginger


John Oxendine

GA Insurance Commissioner
Two Martin Luther King , Jr. Drive
West Tower, Suite 704
Atlanta, GA  30334
404-656-2070
1-800-656-2298
Fax:  404-657-8542

John Oxendine can't help.  In order for the state to look at changes to the health plan, you need to contact the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health.

Rhonda Medows, MD - Commissioner
Georgia Department of Community Health
2 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
404-656-4507

I'm in the process of fighting with the use of an "advocate" (read: ATTORNEY).
Elli

I Don’t mean on an individual basis when there is exclusion in the policy.  But if enough people fight and tell our commissioners what changes we want.....there can be a change.  They do listen to us.  And we are the people who put them in office.

People fight for other things that are important to them and they sometimes win.  I am not saying it would be an easy fight......but if you did win it would be so worth the effort.  

One thing I tell people who have had the surgery is......"You" are a soldier at the beginning of the line.  Look at all the people behind you who want the surgery....."You" need to be successful so all the other people can have the surgery.  If we who have had the surgery do not lose the weight and keep it off and lose our co morbidities....insurance companies will stop paying for the surgery.  Many insurance companies have already.  So, let’s set a good example and show the insurance companies how healthy the surgery can make us.

It makes me very sad when I see or hear about someone who wants the surgery so bad and I know it will help them and they can't have it because of insurance coverage.

The reason it worked for me was because I was only denied, there was not exclusion in my policy.

Good luck,
Ginger

When talking about insurance in general, John Oxendine still isn't the one to help.  He can enforce the insurance laws on the books, yes.  Need a law on the books first.  The official code of Georgia 33-24-59.7 is the Morbid Obesity Antidiscrimination Act addresses gastric bypass surgery.  It states "Every health benefit policy that is delivered, issued, executed, or renewed in this state or approved for issuance or renewal in this state by the Commissioner on or after July 1, 1999, which provides major medical benefits MAY offer coverage for the treatment of morbid obesity."  There is nothing for Mr. Oxendine to enforce as the wording used is "MAY".

The people who need to be contacted are the STATE representatives and senators (not the Georgia US reps and senators) because they are the ones who make the laws for John Oxendine to enforce.

Sorry, I'm getting off my soapbox now...my state actually expects me to do some work.  This issue is something I'm very passionate about though as I AM right in the middle of fighting this.

-Elli

Thank you Elli, for setting me straight.  I will pass that information on as well.

I do hope everything works out for you and you can have the procedure you want.

Take care,

Ginger

Thanks, I'm working on it.  I'm very determined.  I've written letters to EVERYBODY (including John O.) which is how I know who to send them to.

Have a great day!

Elli

Hi Ginger,,,, not to be rude but I wouldn't take my cat to N.Fulton Regional. It one of the lowest rated hospitls in the area.

I have first had exp there....

I hope this seminar is not to have surgery at that hospital.

CuriousCat

PS I don't think it's a Center of Excellence for Bariartircs

I have to say I totally disagree with you CuriousCat! I had my RNY at North Fulton on 7/11/08. It was the greatest experience I have ever had at a hospital. This entire experience with North Fulton and their Bariatric staff have been amazing! The care for me pre and post op has been tremendously AWESOME! Not once have they ignored, mistreated or misguided me at all! I have had nothing but GREAT success and NO complications with my surgery and I have all of the staff at North Fulton as well as my surgeon to thank for this! I would recommend and have recommended North Fulton to anyone who wants or is thinking about having a bariatric procedure done!

I also had my first child at North Fulton and both of us were very well taken care of. This is another reason I chose to put my faith in North Fulton's staff!

Way to go and keep up the great work North Fulton!