Insurance covered or appealed with exclusion to policy??? Is there hope? HELP!

I have been on 3 different insurance plans for the last 15 months while I am trying to have Bariatric surgery. I have not changed plans...my employer keeps changing. Here is a little background. I have met all of the preoperative requirements and paid out of pocket. All 3 policies have had an exclusion on the coverage saying something similar to "Weight loss treatment or care including drugs and surgery for morbid obestity." My question is this...You hear all the time about appeals, but how do you appeal if it is a blanket exclusion to the policy. I am a fighter and I am ready to appeal, but I feel like I have wasted the last 15 months waiting and hoping and I don't want to set myself up for failure again. Can anyone tell me how I would appeal and win??? I have a really good support group around me including both my PCP and my surgeon. HELP!!! Leah Camp Currently waiting... BMI = 50.4

Leah, I just went back and re-read my insurance coverage booklet and it does NOT specifically exclude weight-loss surgery. And, to my delight, it mentions removing the panni, not as routine but as a special cir****tance. That's a toe in the door for me. Now to your problem. I would contact my employer's HR department and ask if there is any possibility of an exception to the exclusion. Your company pays for the insurance so they should be able to ask for a waiver of the exclusion. Your BMI is very high and if you can try to scrounge any other co-morbidities, sleep apnea, hypertension, pre-diabetic, urinary incontinence, anything medical - they don't care about lifestyle problems. Stress that this is a life-saving surgery and that by withholding it they are risking your life. It may not do any good but it sure won't hurt!!! Hugs and love and sorry you are so frustrated. Lana