How ironic is this?

The company I work for has opted out of "obesity related treatment"- apparently it would be cheaper for me to develop Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, etc...or maybe they are just hoping I drop dead from a massive Heart Attack...anywho I'm getting off the subject.

Anyway we had open enrollment for insurance last November and I signed up for supplemental life insurance, well I get a letter today stating I fall outside of the parameters of weight for my height to the tune of 120 lbs.  Well why don't they see if they were to cover weight loss thereapies/surgeries I'd be less likely to die and thus they would be collecting my money and wouldn't have to make a payment out?

Michelle,

I have noticed a lot of insurance companies changing their policy to exclude wls.  Its a shame because it will cost them more in the long run, but they don't see it that way.

It's not your company... it's the insurance company that make including the WLS rider so expensive. It is actually cheaper to pay the premiums for other obesity related illnesses due to the limits placed on the fees physicians are permitted to charge. 

As someone who had surgery while employed by another company, I feel kinda bad that I chose not to make the precedure available to employees at the company I currently work for.  Thankfully, we don't have anyone who needs it.  Fact of the matter is, that companies work hard to even provide you medical coverage (didn't you notice how big an issue it was in the recent election) the extras such as WLS have to wait for better financial times.

I think the part that really bothers me is I work in healthcare- the powers that be as medical proffesionals should know better.

You may work in Healthcare but you obviously don't have access to the financials or you wouldn't say that.  At this time you should simply be thanking God that you are working for a company that hopefullly continues to operate without layoffs.

Christmas present from the Owners of my company to Employees...."You have a job and we're not hurting." No truer words were ever spoken because I see the financials and I see what's going on across the U.S. 

Also WLS has come into the spotlight because now more people are looking into having it which makes both the employers and the insurance companies pay more of their money out of pocket. Now many companies are taking this benefit away because now instead of having perhaps one or two persons seek the surgery, they have a multitude; which in light of today's economic times, many companies simply cannot afford it. As the insured, yes I agree that it would in the long run be cheaper to pay for the surgery if other co-morbidity's exist causing the need for maintenance drugs and increased doctor's appointments. It reminds me of the companies that do not cover birth control but does cover child care. Unfortunately it is a sign of the times. I feel blessed to have been able to have my surgery without any difficulty in getting it approved. My surgery was over $18k and all I paid was a $10 copay. I have to be honest and say that if I was an employer, I can not say that I would definitely offer the benefit although I do understand the need for it; however to do so would possibly put myself in a financially deficient position depending on the number of employees, the success of the business, and how many would be looking at this and other costly procedures.

That's why it took me 3 1/2 yrs to get my wls Michelle J. I was on 14 different different meds and was under the care of about 5 specialists. And don't get me started on life insurance, my dad got turned down for being 335 lbs and he is 6'8" !!!!! He finally found someone to cover him but that's crazy. My hubby said that he has life insurance on me but I'm sure if I tried to get some myself, I would be denied because of my illnesses and my weight. Even at 212 and 6'3 1/2 I would still be overweight.

I work for a non profit in the insurance department I actually design and implement our health plan. Its actually  goign both ways, most trade magazines are really pushing covering WLS because it is a one time expense but over time it is definitley a cost reducer of overall healthcare. The issue isn't that companies don't want to cover it the problem is that we area "job hopping" society and most companies do not receive their return on investment (ROI)  for paying the 20-30k for the surgery. Being a WLS patient I think its because most of us after we get the weight off realize we were working in jobs beneath us and go walking out the door but still the the $'s have been spent. There are still contracted rates for the procredure jst like any other chronic condition the main reason is what I said well managed diabetes may cost the plan 5k a year which means it would take me 4-6 years to spend the same amount of money for the surgery.

I hope this helps.

I have to agree with Queen..... I had WLS at my job and only stayed 2.5 years..... they paid 50K for my surgery and even with what they were underpaying me - they still didn't get their money back.....