self insurers??

My husband is four days post op.His company is self insured and we tried to get this paid for beforehands by two appeals and even a letter from an attorney. But they said, and rightly we found out, that self insured companies don't fall under state guidelines and basically you can't appeal. But then I read in Reader's digest an article called "making them pay" that self insured companies fall under federal protections and guidelines. But they failed to say who or what to contact or how to find out anymore in that area. Does anyone know? We had to take out a second morgate and we are really hurting financially and want to continue the fight. Finally I want to say thanks in advance. I'm sure we will both visit this site often to find answers to our questions. I want to support him all I can. Trish and Tom

I was recently that if I was self-insured or the company I worked for pard a portional amount of our insurence cost that I should go to the US Department of Labor for any complaints about my insurance. So you might want to check their web site out. Good Luck with the battle. Sherrill

If your husband's plan is self-insured, go to the US Department of Labor. I do know that you have to exhaust your appeals before they will help (according to the nice lady I talked to yesterday). Here's the site that I went through: http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/ If I were you, I'd also try going through your congressman's office, local investigative reporter (local news, basically), the Attorney General's office, or even a lawyer (check out obesitylaw.com). Anyone who will listen. Good luck to you, and let us know how it goes. April