Did you need an attorney?

If you hired an attorney to help persuade your employer and/or your insurance company to change their policy on GBS I could use some tips for finding such an attorney.

Hi Mary! If your employer's policy has an iron-clad exclusion to WLS, then there really isn't anything that you can do about it...hiring an attorney would only be a waste of money. Iowa is not one of the states that has made it mandatory to cover WLS (I think that there are only four or five of them right now). I am so sorry that you are going through so many difficulties. Sherry Open RNY 02/04/04 (Proximal-75 cm) 294.5/200.5/150 -94#

I am one of the lucky few that got the sugery BEFORE their employers changed their policy and/or insurance companies. 6 months after my surgery, my employer changed insurance companies to one that specifically excludes gastric bypass. If i have any complications at all now, it will be out of my pocket. Any and all follow up visits are the same. I contacted the insurance commisioner, a lawyer and all that. It is unethical as hell, but not illegal and i don't have a leg to stand on. Its really depressing that they would do this to me when they KNOW that i had the surgery...everyone knew. I just have to count my blessings that at least i DID get the surgery, and handle the complications and tummy tuck as i get to them. I am keeping my eye out for better employment with better benefits..but dang, there just aren't that many jobs out there, even for those of us with college degrees. I might suggest the same to you, to look for different employment, if that's what it takes to get this surgery. I am 13 months out and im now down 122 lbs (from 304 lbs to 182 lbs.) Life is fabulous. ~~Dawn Phillips

Hey Mary, Here's a website ... He's a lawyer that specializes in obesity law (he's had the surgery) ... no I don't know him or want to advertise services here... but it's someone who may be able help or put you in the right direction; if you have enough serious co-morbitity issues you can get this surgery sometimes. http://www.obesitylaw.com/ Feel free to email me, I do volunteer services for OB Help newcomers. TTFN Paula RNY 11/01 highest weight 314 goal weight 150 revised 130 orginal goal weight reached 11/02 revised goal weight reached 02/03 current weight 130

Mary, I didn't have to pay for the surgery on my own and unfortunately do not have any info on attornies. I did, however, want to wish you well in your journey. Good luck! God bless, Andrea