Who is telling the truth?

Shirley, Where do you have BC/BS through? I know the state started to cover it last year. Are there other BC/BS policies now covering it? I have BC/BS as a secondary insurance and they did not cover it when I had it done in 4-06. My primary insurance did cover all but about $3,000 for me. I was just curious if any other places of employment are now covering this. My BC/BS coverage is through Roseburg Schools where my husband retired from. Julia

Julia, I work at OHSU and they just added a bariatric surgery benefit beginning 1/1/07. Tammy

Great, I hope more and more companies add this wonderful benefit. Julia

Julia, I work for OHSU - my office is in Eugene. Just saw the message above from Tammy. Tammy is that you -- a fellow CDRC worker? This is Shirley at the Spina Bifida Program in Eugene. Shirley

Julia - BC/BS for State Employees (through PEBB) started offering this benefit last year. We can only have GBP though -- they do not pay for lap band or DS. They will do it if the BMI is between 35-40 if you have diabetes and over 40 with any co-morbid condition. My current BMI is about 39.5. I had some tests done yesterday. The doc thinks I am insulin resistant, but isn't sure if I'm diabetic -- I guess the tests will tell. What is the difference, anyway? If not, I'm about a cupcake away from qualifying with any other condition. I've been trying to keep my weight down -- go figure! Linda

A lot of insurance companies will only cover Gastric Bypass and not the Lap band. I think they think it is still experimental. I think your insulin resistance will be counted as a co-morbidity. Insurances just don't want to part with much money!!! Good luck in your pusuit of a healthy life. We will be seeing you on the 20th at breakfast won't we? Julia

Hi , Linda, I went to the Good Sam Center then went to Salem Doc Nair. I found that I really liked Doctor Nair and his staff. They were really nice and very very professional from the first office visit to all the routine testing. I have been very impressed and Im looking forward to my surgery date March 5, 2007. I went to Emma Peterson and Dennis Hung and while they were nice and had a great office. I felt like they had gotten way to big and busy and felt like a number rather then a person. If you would like to talk more feel free to email and perhaps we can talk by phone. Good Luck, Elisa