once again no help found

Well the State Rep. office called me and of course explained that the State of Tennessee doesn't regulate insurance companies and can not *make* them pay for WLS. And that they have no other ideas for me , to get help in getting my surgery covered. So very hard tried to not get my hopes up, knowing the chances of getting help were very slim. But yet I did, and of course they were once again dashed. Trying very hard to continue fighting, and not letting it bog me down. Sorry for the down mood everyone, but it is once again just another big NO for being able to have surgery. thanks alice

It may be true that they don't make ins. companies pay for wls but it's not entirely true that they don't make them pay for ANYTHING. They passed a law last session making ins. companies pay for autism services the same as they pay for other mental health issues. Which representative was it? Janie

Maybe this is something we need to lobby for? At least on a grass-roots level. I know there are paid lobbyists for the insurance companies and it would be an uphill struggle. TN isn't well known for doing much of anything that would improve Joe Blow's chances in competing with the big businesses, either as employees or as insured people. Maybe we could start a grass-roots lobbying campaign that would make it uncomfortable for the legislature to ignore us? Has this already been discussed? In any case, I'm sorry you've been disappointed again. Please don't let this break your spirit and make you give up! Love Dennie

Alice Neff, If you do not mind me asking, What kind of health care insurance do you have? Please give the full name and type. That way if anyone has the same one as you they can suggest more things to you. Please let us know. Several have dealt with Blue Cross/ Blue Care Of Tennessee Medcaide. So maybe someone here might have the same insurance as you do and can help. I wish you all the best. And I will put you and your family in my prayers. May all come,that you need come to you and may all you hopes and dreams come true. Your friend, Tina Cannon

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, through my employer, it's a PPO. and they have an exclusion for covering anything at all to do with WLS, they wouldn't even cover a blood test my PCP did, because they had put down my visit to the doctor involved weight loss issues. So I wound up having to pay for the office visit and the blood work. go figure.

Hi Alice, I started researching the gastric bypass in June of 2003. I was turned down by 11 surgeons. Two because their pysch said I needed more therapy, and another said I was unstable. I managed to become a diabetic, found out I had Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia and had to go on chemo pills, then I found a surgeon who agreed to do my surgery as long as my blood counts were in normal range. Disappointments plenty, I have been there. There were plenty of times that I felt like saying why bother. This board supported me. You may not get the surgery right away, and it may not be this year, but trust God to help you and he will lead you to the surgeon that he wants you to be with. Don't give up, your insurance policy could always change. Always think positive that for every disappointment you run across, be thankful for it. There's always a reason. I truly believe that. I finally was able to have my surgery on Jan. 9, 2006. You're time will come, don't be so hard on yourself. Just trust God to lead you to the surgeon that he wants you to be at. Some even finance your surgery, something to look into. I will keep you on my prayer list. May God travel with you on this journey, Kathy

I dont know much about it but have you tried obesitylaw.com

Be sure the policy has an exclusion for WLS, and not for just weight loss programs. WLS is a separate category of service than diet and weight loss programs, and has to be excluded separately from the other stuff. I've heard good things about obesitylaw.com as a site for these kinds of issues. Brian