How to begin? Exclusion in Blue Cross Insurance for Weight Loss Surgery

Does anyone know how to begin to fight with my insurance company. They have written an exclusion for weight loss surgery in our company's policy. I don't know how to begin to argue with them or what to say that would convince them to cover lap band surgery. Thanks.

You need to talk to your company. They are the ones who decided to exclude the coverage for WLS, not Blue Cross. I am the benefits coordinator at my company. We recently changed to BCBS TN and we also have a written exclusion for WLS. There is a rider the company would have to pay for in order to include WLS in the plan. This rider is very expensive and would drive the premiums up for everyone covered by your company's health plan, not just the people who would actually use this benefit. For this reason, many companies are electing to not include this benefit. I know that we looked at including this and it was just cost prohibitive. Insurance premiums are already so high that many people just can't afford it and our company covers 65-70% of the premiums for our employees and dependents. I really hate having to tell people that our insurance won't cover any of the procedures, especially when they come to talk to me because they know I've had the surgery. I have to explain that I am covered by my husband's policy and do not even have the company insurance. I hope you can find a way to get your company to change their policy. Good luck!

Thanks so much for the information. I thought that would more than likely be the case, but wasn't sure. Thanks again!