lap banding

Has anyone in WV, who has peia been approved to have this surgery? I was denied for it and need to appeal it. Can anyone help me with the appeal and the pro's and cons' of it . Can you help me ????

If I remember correctly a friend of mine (who talked me into getting the surgery) has peia. But, she didn't do the lap band she had to do open RNY...she said she was also approved for the lap RNY but the doctor she seen didnt do them.

I have been trying since 2002 to get PEIA to pay for the lap band surgery. I just had an email from Tanya Cyrus at PEIA saying they were about to review their policy. If everyone with PEIA would write to PEIA and plead with them to cover this we might make some headway. Right now they are pushing their medical weight loss system, which is not successful for everyone, and which, research has shown , is not often a permanent solution for the morbidly obese. Tell everyone you know to write Tanya Cyrus at PEIA and support the Lap Band. martha

Hi Angela! PEIA does not cover the lapband at all at this time. Unfortunately, most insurance companies don't cover that procedure, though most DO cover the RNY gastric bypass. Dr. Shin heads the bariatric program at CAMC and has been very active in trying to get PEIA to cover the lapband procedure. In fact, I am almost positive he had another meeting with them a couple of weeks ago. You might give his office a call and ask him where PEIA stands on the lapband. Dr. Shin's phone number is 304-388-4965 and his email is [email protected]. Hope this helps! Beth http://www geocities.com/beckleywlssg http:// health.groups.yahoo.com/group/beckleywlssg/