BOEING GROUP HEALTH PLAN??

(I'm reposting this as a new topic to find out about my insurance company).

Hi I'm new at this forum. We moved to the Seattle area about 4 months ago when my spouse got a job with Boeing. We have Group Health Plan - he is a machinist. I looked through the coverage  terms and didn't see anything of this plan offering WLS. I have not been to the doctors at all yet since being up here - I'm hibernating, literally!!

I lived in Los Angeles before coming here and tried to talk to my doctors at Kaiser to do the surgery but they scared me about the risks and said I should keep trying to do it on my own...I was going to persue it when he lost his job and I had no coverage. They said I was not heavy enough even at 236 and a BMI of 39 I think. I also have POLYCYSTIC ovaries, insomnia, high cholesterol. I have gained another 20 pounds since then and know this eating disorder is killing me.
I'm just wondering if Boeing and Group Health Plan will cover this surgery and if anyone here can give me feedback as how to begin this journey, I feel mentally exhausted really.

Thank you.
BackAgain

Welcome to the board.
I'd get onto that insurance right away, surely THEY can give you the most accurate answer themselves, right?
Some of them require x number of weeks/months of supervised diet, so the quicker you find out their requirements, the quicker you can then worry about choice of surgeon etc.

If you're procrastinating because you're scared, just keep in mind that finding out information does NOT force you to actually go through with it in the end.

Just get going and see where it takes you from there.

Good luck with it all!

It's my understanding the Boeing Group Health (all Group Health Plans) do not cover WLS... We had to switch coverage so that my surgery would be covered thru my employers PPO plan. But call Group Health for the best information... you HR staff wouldnt really know but they can give you the number to GH for coverage verification.

I have GH and they do cover WLS, but it also depends on your employer.  For more info, you can contact GH at 888-901-4636

I don't know why the other person said tht GH doesn't cover WLS.  They only do RNY and lapbands.

I have had GH for a few years now. When I first was enrolled through my employer, our plan did not cover WLS, however last year we changed plans within GH, and now it does cover. There is only one or two plans with GH that do not cover WLS, so as previously written, best to call them directly. You can also view your plan benefits on www.ghc.org and sign up for "my group health".

Best of Luck to you!
Kathy

I also have GH and when I first talked to my company's HR dept they couldn't tell me anything but when I spoke with GH directly the gal was great giving me the information.  And my plan does cover both Lap Band and RNY.  She said my first step was to talk to my primary care doctor.  My doctor was very happy to recommend me for WLS.  Good Luck!

BackAgain,

I am a Boeing machinist IAM 751 union member.  To the best of my knowledge, the only plan that covers WLS is the Traditional plan.  I used to have the Selections plan, but switched so that I could get Lap Band surgery.  Call the service number for your specific medical plan and they will be able to tell you.

Good Luck