NEED SUPPORT

Daniel In response to your e-mail regarding SB 41, I am unaware of any similar law in Kentucky or any proposed legislation in the last several legislative sessions. Through HB 650 in the 2004 legislative session, Kentucky passed a maw imposing a 3-year moratorium on mandated benefits. However, I am attaching an e-mail that I received from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky regarding regional forums it will be holding to discuss obesity. Additionally, below is language from Kentucky's standard health benefit plan which excludes coverage for obesity, but does provide an exception to the exclusion for surgery for morbid obesity where the condition is life-threatening. While insurers are not required to offer the standard plan, many health plans include similar language. Obesity - Weight reduction programs or treatment for obesity (except for surgery for morbid obesity where the condition has developed to be of a life-threatening nature to the Covered Person) and any surgery for the removal of excess fat or skin following weight loss due to obesity, surgery, or pregnancy, regardless of Medical Necessity, or services at a health spa or similar facility. Services, supplies, or other care for gastric/bubble/gastric balloon procedures. Additional examples of excluded services are stomach stapling, wiring of the jaw, liposuction, dietary supplements, diet pills and appetite suppressants, and jejunal bypasses. I hope this provides you with some initial information. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me. D.J. Wasson Insurance Program Manager Kentucky Office of Insurance 502-564-0888 (phone) 502-564-1453 (fax) ______________________________________________________________ The Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky has been participating with the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky and we thought you would be interested in this "Save the Date" information below regarding regional forums. Rita Moya Executive Director Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky If you do not want to receive periodic emails regarding Foundation activities and grant opportunities, please respond to this email and request to be remove from the mailing list. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SAVE THE DATE Obesity Regional Forums August 2004 The epidemic of obesity in Kentucky is something you see in all circuits of the media. Unfortunately nearly two-thirds of Kentucky's adults are either overweight or obese and Kentucky ranks 2nd highest in the United States for physical inactivity. Moreover, some 15% of Kentucky's youth are at risk for being overweight or obese as adults, and an additional 15% are nearly assured of being obese as adults if something does not change. Obesity leads to additional chronic health problems and creates financial burdens on individuals, families, employers, the health care industry, and state health care programs. To address this epidemic, the Kentucky Department for Public Health and the Partnership for a Fit Kentucky, through a Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) Obesity Grant, is seeking input from the community through Regional Forums. These forums will use your input to develop a statewide action plan to address obesity and its associated health consequences. Further information concerning the Regional Forums will be forth coming. Please mark your calendar for a site convenient to you. If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Carlin at [email protected] or (502) 564-3827 extension 3748. Lexington Holiday Inn North 1950 Newtown Pike, Lexington, Ky. 40508 August 2, 2004 2:00 p.m. EST* Ashland Ashland Boyd County Health Department Administrative Offices 2924 Holt Street Ashland, Ky. 41101 August 5, 2004 1:00 a.m. EST* Hazard University of Kentucky Center for Rural Health 750 Morton Blvd. Room 214 Hazard, Ky. 41701 August 9, 2004 1:00 p.m. EST* Louisville Executive Inn West 830 Phillips Lane Louisville, Ky. 40209 August 12, 2004 9:00 a.m. EST* Owensboro Daviess County Cooperative Extension Office 4800 A New Hartford Road Owensboro, Ky. 42303 August 16, 2004 1:00 p.m. CST* Paducah Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center for the Performing Arts 417 South 4th Street Paducah, Ky. 42001 August 19, 2004 11:00 a.m. CST* Bowling Green Carroll Knicely Conference Center 2355 Nashville Road Bowling Green, Ky. 42101 August 23, 2004 9:00 a.m. CST* Somerset Lake Cumberland District Health Department 500 Bourne Ave. Somerset, Ky.42501 August 26, 2004 1:00 p.m. EST* Covington Scheben Branch Boone County Library 8899 US 42 Union, KY. 41091 August 30, 2004 3:00 p.m. EST* * Registration will begin ½ hour before the listed start times.