potential bad news for state employees & teachers in 2012

It sounds like the state health plan for GA is going to discontinue coverage of bariatric surgery in 2012...

http://www.georgiahealthnews.com/2011/08/state-health-plan-l aunches-premium-kids/#more-12743

I am very grateful that I just got approved for surgery a few days ago - hopefully I will not have to wait too long to have my surgery date scheduled!

                    


Wow, thanks for sharing. I will spread the word. I am honestly not surprised they did not pull the coverage for 2011 with all the budget cuts.

I too am grateful I got my DS when I was a state employee. 

The sad thing about this announcement is that unless someone has already started pre-op requirements by June 2011, they would not be able to start anything now and get in their 6 months of prerequisites.  So, if anybody out there is in the middle of the process don't STOP or take any breaks in your support groups, Dr. visits, etc. If you miss a month for any reason, you won't be able to get your surgery!

I am curious how this will effect post op visits, band fills, emergency revisions, etc.?  That is something I would definitely be looking into if I were still a state employee. Especially if I had a band.  If anybody can get this info, please share.

Wow. Thanks for the heads up! I will spread the news.

Wow! GA teachers continue to be stabbed in the back! I will certainly spread the word to others. Thanks for the valuable information.

Hmm, I guess I need to get over the cold feet and make my date for 9/14. It is NOW or NEVER!

Hey Steph,

I was thinking of you today and was gonna give you a call.

YES! YOu definitely need to keep your date. You have come too far to turn back girl.  Let me know if I can help you with any preparations.

Thanks LaShelle!

I know I will do fine. Everything keeps working in my favor and this new info on insurance definitely tells me its my time! So please keep me in your prayers!

BTW, I hope you are doing a clothing exchange this fall. I need new clothes, lol.

Stephanie

I feel the same way - if I had any doubts before about having WLS, I don't now!  I am even more anxious now to get a surgery date (I just got insurance approval last Wednesday).

The decision is so short-sighted by the State (I guess I'm not surprised) - the cost of surgery has got to be a fraction of the long-term costs of treating diabetes and other chronic conditions that are caused or made worse by obesity.

I really hope they'll let those who started the process in 2011 still have surgery in 2012. There are so many teachers (and other state employees, I'm sure)  in the support groups that I've attended. 

That is absolutely horrible news!  I can not imagine taking this opportunity for good health away from anyone.  I pray that there is another way....

 I am so torqued about this..so much so that it pulled me out of lurkdom.   I am going to make the date by the skin of my teeth..I have completed the 6 month requirement but I had to change docs which set me back a month or two.   

The thing that boggles my mind is the insurance now covers tobacco cessation but no weight loss assistance.  Yet, if overweight people (and smokers)  don't reach goals set by the SHBP the premium will go up.