Any advice on the diet/ ERISA?

I had to change jobs in Jan in order to get insurance that would cover wls. After changing jobs, I found out that my new employer is self-insured. Our insurance is administered through BCBS of Illinois. The insurance requires a 12 mo failed supervised diet & increased exercise activity in the past 2 years w/ the assistance of pharmaceuticals unless contraindicated, a psych consult and nutritional eval. In 2001, I was on Adipex for a year and have documentation from my doctor who I saw quarterly. Why or will the insurance take this and use it even though it was 4 years ago? I have written a letter to my employer and they state that they stand behind BCBS. They have offered to speak with me further about it, but I want to have all of my ducks in a row before I go to them. Any advice from all of you experts? Would hiring an atty be beneficial at this point?

If the plan is self funded, your employer actually stands in front of BCBS. They can, but usally don't make an exception. If it is self funded and it says within the past 2 years, they may not accept it. You should try anyway as sometimes they do make allowances. Especially if you have more documentation than most. It helps. Best of luck Gary Viscio