Cannot believe it!!!!

The saga continues for me and why my insurance does not cover any WLS. I found out that our policy was employer driven, which means they can pick and choose what they want the policy to cover. Well, my lovely employer said that she doesn't believe in any sort of WLS. That it never works and people always gain their weight back. She said that people should just control their food intake and exhibit more self control and make better food choices. I thought everyone would enjoy hearing that little tidbit. It's amazing how ignorant and insensitive some people really are. I hope she never needs to have any WLS.

Hi Stacy, I am so sorry to hear that.  It is true many employers have the option of covering it or not - it apparently really cuts down on the cost of the insurance.  I have been really lucky in 04 when I had my gastric bypass and again in 2010 when I had the band over the bypass that my insurance paid all but a miniscule amount (I have had Blue Cross/Blue Shield in both cases, one here in CA my current is in Massachusetts).  I also was covered for a tummy tuck in 07 so I feel very fortunate.

On another note, if this health care reform act does go through, I think a LOT of people will find no coverage for this type of thing as it will be considered "elective."  I am hoping that something is done before that time to stop what they are trying to do - honestly, our current welfare system works just fine...if they think another "state" system will work - check out the DMV and other state-run agencies for what we are looking forward to when it comes to health care.  I don't believe it's a pretty picture.  IF they insist on going forward we as people SHOULD be able to have the option to pay for our insurance as we do now through employment, to insure better health care...

 Good luck on your journey.

  Couldn't agree more!!

Maybe I'm missing something here, but the Affordable Care Act passed exactly one year ago yesterday and to my knowledge, there is no other health care reform legislation currently up for consideration.

If you think the current welfare/health care system works fine, I would urge you to do a bit more research on the subject (the documentary Sicko gives a good overview, Netflix it).  Millions of people die each year because of lack of or insufficient coverage... unfortunately those statistics will be only marginally improved by the new laws that don't do nearly enough to address the for-profit health care system we currently have that incentivizes insurance companies to keep profits high and payouts low.  Have you ever heard of Wendell Potter?  http://wendellpotter.com/about/

To your point about WLS becoming an elective procedure, I don't see that happening... it makes no sense.  It's already been proven to be a successful method to combat long term morbid obesity; it's in the best interest of not only the patients, but the doctors, insurance companies and employers for morbidly obese people to receive treatment that will reduce their potential for becoming costly liabilities.

To the original poster, I'm sorry to hear that your employer is an ignorant ... well, I'll leave the descriptor blank as it'll probably get censored by OH anyway.  Would it be possible to look for a new position with a company that offers more comprehensive coverage?  It sounds like your current company culture is more concerned with their bottom line than they are with their employees :-(.
 

Wow, that's judgmental of her!   I also have insurance where the employer can pick and choose. Right now, we don't have the rider, but my husband's boss is a sane, reasonable man and we plan to chat with him about it. It's too bad that your boss is narrow-minded and can't see that obesity is much more involved than just making better food choices and having self control. That's provincial thinking, in my opinion. 

Everybody's got their something... everybody needs support at some time. It's too bad you don't get it from your boss. I'm sorry.

Wow I had no idea diet and exercise was guaranteed to make you lose weight! I'll have to try that! Duh NOT! You just can't fix stupid.... even with duct tape!

They are starting to put alto of stipulations on insurance policies now.  My dad dont cover it on his insurance not cause he dont believe in it my gosh he paid 10 grand out of his own pocket for my surgery but the cost of the insurance he cant afford to have it on there.

Also they just told him anybody that smokes starting the start of summer they will not cover them so he had to tell his employees either quit smoking to have insurance or you are not covered.

He is just a small business person so he cant afford all the nice things about insurance but hey its insurance its better then nothing I guess. 

And plus he can not change insurance due to my mom and some of her medical complications so that is not even a consideration .